The proposed bill introduces the Out-of-State Dilapidated Property Accountability Act, which aims to address the issues posed by abandoned and dilapidated properties owned by out-of-state landowners in West Virginia. The bill outlines the purpose of the legislation, defines key terms such as "out-of-state landowner" and "dilapidated property," and establishes a registration requirement for these landowners. They must register their property ownership with the local enforcing authority within 60 days of acquisition, providing a physical mailing address, a designated in-state agent for service of process, and contact information. Failure to register will result in penalties.

Additionally, the bill mandates that once a property is identified as dilapidated, the enforcing authority must notify the landowner and their designated agent, specifying the necessary remediation actions and deadlines. Out-of-state landowners are required to address the violations within the specified timeframe, and those who fail to comply will face escalating civil penalties, starting at $15,000 for the first month of noncompliance, with fines doubling for each subsequent month. The penalties will accrue automatically without further notice, emphasizing the urgency of compliance.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-40-1, 8-40-2, 8-40-3, 8-40-4, 8-40-5, 8-40-6