This bill aims to amend and clarify the registration process for tax abandoned land auctions and sales conducted by the Auditor in West Virginia. Key changes include the requirement for potential bidders to register in advance or submit a notarized affidavit affirming their eligibility on the day of the sale. The bill specifies that bidders must not have any outstanding payments from previous auctions within the last five years, must not be delinquent on property taxes, and must not have a history of noncompliance with code enforcement violations. Additionally, the Auditor is granted the authority to refuse registration based on these criteria.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the process for selling unsold lands without further auction or advertising, prioritizing sales to adjacent landowners, municipalities, and other interested parties. The Auditor may set the sale price in agreement with the purchaser and can require a title examination at the buyer's expense. The bill also includes similar eligibility criteria for potential buyers of unsold lands, ensuring that those with a history of noncompliance or outstanding obligations are excluded from purchasing. Overall, the bill seeks to streamline the auction process while ensuring responsible ownership of tax-abandoned properties.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 11A-3-45, 11A-3-48