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Bill would let property owners seek law-enforcement removal of alleged squatters; lawmakers press for officer verification and notice
Summary
Senate Bill 207 would let property owners seek prompt law-enforcement assistance to remove alleged unlawful occupants when owners attest under penalty of perjury that no rental agreement exists; the committee heard extensive testimony and questions about officer verification, notice to occupants and potential civil and criminal consequences and set the bill for further consideration.
Senate Bill 207, presented at a May 4 hearing, would create a statutory process enabling property owners to request law-enforcement assistance to remove unlawful occupants when specific criteria are met and the owner signs a sworn affidavit under penalty of perjury.
Matt Churchill, staff to Chair Bjorkman, said SB 207 authorizes officers to serve occupants with a notice to vacate and deliver possession to the owner when the officer verifies the affidavit and statutory criteria. Churchill said the bill imposes liability on owners who wrongfully remove occupants and provides remedies for those improperly displaced. The bill also clarifies property offenses such as forgery and deceptive business practices, adding criminal penalties in some circumstances.
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