House Bill 1117

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 29-1-35 AND 29-1-57, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO SELL TAX-FORFEITED LANDS AND BUILDINGS AND PERSONAL PROPERTY ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH LANDS, WITH THE AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE THE REASONABLE PRICE FOR SALE, OR CONTRACT WITH THE PURCHASER OF THE PROPERTY FOR THE CLEANUP AND REMOVAL OF DEBRIS, BUILDINGS AND PERSONAL PROPERTY AS PARTIAL CONSIDERATION FOR THE SALE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 29-1-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

29-1-35. Where buildings and improvements situated on tax-forfeited lands have been removed or destroyed by fire, windstorm, or flood, the Secretary of State may, in his discretion, sell the tax-forfeited lands for any amount * * * he may deem reasonable, irrespective of the amount of taxes for which the property was sold to the state. The Secretary of State, in determining the sales price for the land, may take into account the cost of cleanup and removal of debris from destroyed buildings and improvements situated thereon, or may contract with the purchaser for cleanup and removal of debris from destroyed buildings as part of the consideration for sale of the land.

SECTION 2. Section 29-1-57, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

29-1-57. Where tax-forfeited lands have situated thereon buildings or personal property which are deteriorating, the Secretary of State may sell and dispose of the buildings, personal property and land for any consideration he may deem reasonable, irrespective of the amount of taxes for which same was sold. Where the buildings or personal property have deteriorated to the condition they are unsafe or constitute a nuisance, the Secretary of State, in determining the sales price for the land, may take into account the cost of cleanup and removal of the buildings and personal property situated thereon, or may contract with the purchaser for cleanup and removal of the buildings and personal property as part of the consideration for sale of the land.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2012.