House Bill 222

Chair�s Name: Larry O�Neal

Committee: Ways and Means

House Sponsor: Billy Mitchell

HB 222 provides a new code section that prohibits any person employed in the office of the tax commissioner, including the tax commissioner, from benefiting from any real property sold at public auction for delinquent taxes unless there was an interest prior to the tax delinquency.  Penalties are provided. 

The committee substitute received a Do Pass recommendation from the Ways and Means Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Structured Rule.

Chairman O�Neal�s opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

HB 222 prohibits current tax commissioners and their employees from purchasing real property sold by their county at public auction for delinquent taxes.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

Fairness and the potential for abuse by those in a position to take advantage of such position to acquire real property.

THIS LEGISLATION:

• Increases Personal Responsibility:

This bill will prohibit tax commissioners and their staff from taking advantage of their positions to acquire foreclosed property from an advantaged position to manipulate sale times and terms.