House Bill No. 557, introduced by Representative Braud, amends and reenacts specific provisions of Louisiana's tax law regarding adjudicated tax-delinquent property and the tax lien certificate process. The bill allows political subdivisions to adopt ordinances that convert adjudicated property into tax lien certificates, which are then filed with the recorder of mortgages in the respective parish. It specifies that adjudicated property can be converted to tax lien certificate property, and the period of adjudication may count towards the three-year period required for tax lien certificates. If the conversion occurs after three years from the recordation of the adjudication, the property can be sold following the post-tax lien notice requirements.

The bill also clarifies that upon the expiration of three years from the recordation of the tax lien certificate, or the tax sale certificate if applicable, a certificate holder may initiate legal proceedings to recognize amounts due under the tax lien certificate. The provisions of this bill will take effect on January 1, 2026, and will apply to all taxable periods beginning on or after that date. Additionally, the bill supersedes certain provisions of a prior act from the 2024 Regular Session of the Legislature.

Statutes affected:
HB557 Original: 47:2201(B), 47:1(A)(1)
HB557 Engrossed: 47:2201(B), 47:1(A)(1)
HB557 Reengrossed: 47:2201(B), 47:1(A)(1)