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Committee advances three-bill package to clarify tax-sale procedures and restore extra notice
Summary
The Ways and Means Committee moved forward a three-bill package (SB 73, SB 238, SB 191) to fix conflicts with a 2024 constitutional amendment, clarify collection and title procedures for ad valorem taxes, and increase required tax-lien auction notices from one to two; supporters said the changes should reduce unintended forfeitures.
Senators presented a three-bill package to reform tax-sale and ad-valorem collection procedures that lawmakers say was left in limbo after a 2024 constitutional amendment and subsequent session laws.
Sponsors said the bills aim to reconcile statutory language with the constitutional effective date of Jan. 1, 2026, and to clarify procedures for collection, confirmation of tax sales, and monition proceedings. One sponsor explained the package is intended to "fix it" where statutory provisions conflict with the constitutional amendment, so collectors and courts have clear procedures for tax periods and sales.
SB 191 includes an amendment that increases the required advertisements for tax-lien auctions from one notice to two, restoring prior notice frequency. A sponsor said the extra notice should encourage more taxpayers to pay delinquent taxes and reduce the number of properties that reach auction.
The Louisiana State Law Institute and several stakeholder groups (including the Louisiana Land Title Association and Louisiana Sheriff's Association) filed cards or were present in support; Katie Belanger of the Louisiana Land Title Association spoke in favor. Committee members adopted a member set of amendments and moved all three bills forward favorably.
Why this matters: The package addresses procedural ambiguity affecting the administration of ad valorem tax collection and tax sales, and restoring additional public notice is intended to reduce unintended property forfeitures.
All three bills were reported favorably from committee without recorded roll-call tallies in committee; sponsors said implementation would involve sheriffs, tax collectors, assessors and clerks.
