The bill, Substitute Senate Bill No. 1317, amends Section 7-148aa of the general statutes to establish that any unpaid penalties imposed by municipalities for violations of housing codes will constitute a lien on the real estate where the violation occurred. This includes fines for maintaining safe and sanitary housing, in addition to existing provisions for blight and zoning violations. The new language specifies that these liens will take effect from the date the penalty is imposed and will take precedence over other liens filed after July 1, 1997, except for tax liens. The bill also outlines that these liens can be continued, recorded, enforced, and released in the same manner as property tax liens.

The effective date for this bill is set for October 1, 2025. The potential fiscal impact for municipalities includes a revenue gain starting in fiscal year 2026, as the enforcement of these liens may lead to additional debt collection. The ongoing fiscal implications are expected to continue into the future, influenced by inflation and the number of liens issued.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 7-148aa
PD Joint Favorable Substitute: 7-148aa
File No. 208: 7-148aa