This bill amends sections 11A-3-45 and 11A-3-65 of the Code of West Virginia to allow the State Auditor to hire a private auctioneer for conducting annual land sales. The new provisions state that the Auditor may engage a private auctioneer at their discretion, imposing a buyer's fee of 10% on successful bids, except for sales that do not exceed the tax liability on the property. Additionally, the payment for purchased properties will now be made to the sheriff of the county where the property is located, rather than the Auditor.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the distribution of surplus proceeds from the sale of delinquent or nonentered lands. It stipulates that if a claim is filed by the former owner or their heirs within two years of the sale confirmation, they are entitled to the surplus. If no claim is made, the surplus will be allocated as follows: 50% to the general school fund, 25% to the state's General Revenue Fund, and 25% to the Auditor's Land Operating Fund. This change aims to ensure a more equitable distribution of surplus funds resulting from land sales.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 11A-3-45, 11A-3-65