The bill amends West Virginia Code §31-18E-9 to remove the sunset date on the provision that grants land reuse agencies and municipal land banks the right of first refusal to acquire certain tax-delinquent properties before they are offered at public auction. This change allows these entities to continue purchasing qualifying tax-delinquent properties, which meet specific criteria, such as having an assessed value of $50,000 or less, being on the municipality's vacant property registry for 24 months or longer, or having been condemned. Additionally, the bill modifies the criteria under which a land reuse agency or municipal land bank can refuse to sell property to adjacent property owners and revises the reporting requirements for these agencies.

Furthermore, the bill empowers the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to subpoena land banks or reuse agencies for auditing purposes. It mandates that any land reuse agency or municipal land bank that exercises the right of first refusal must notify adjacent property owners within 15 days of obtaining a tax deed, allowing them 120 days to express interest in purchasing the property. The bill aims to enhance the management of tax-delinquent properties and ensure accountability in the operations of land reuse agencies and municipal land banks.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 31-18E-9
Committee Substitute: 31-18E-9
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 31-18E-9