Substitute Senate Bill No. 1187 proposes amendments to the enforcement of unpaid sewer assessments and related fees, set to take effect on October 1, 2025. The bill establishes that any unpaid assessment or installment becomes delinquent after thirty days, accruing interest at the same rate as delinquent property taxes. It creates a lien on the real estate for any unpaid assessments and interest, enforceable like property tax liens. Importantly, the bill restricts the foreclosure of liens on owner-occupied properties unless the total amount owed exceeds $3,000 or three years have passed since the lien was filed. Additionally, municipalities can only assign liens for unpaid sewer assessments under the same conditions, with exceptions for tax or municipal liens.

The bill also clarifies the treatment of delinquent sewer assessments, ensuring they are handled similarly to property taxes in terms of lien enforcement and collection. It modifies existing legal language to specify that unpaid amounts will be considered delinquent after thirty days and allows authorities to pursue civil action for recovery of unpaid fees, while maintaining limitations on foreclosures for owner-occupied properties. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the collection process for sewer fees while providing necessary protections for homeowners against aggressive collection practices.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
PD Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 329: