Connecticut House Bill HB06110

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/19
• Refer: 1/24/19

Caption

An Act Limiting The Amount Of Attorney's Fees That May Be Awarded In A Proceeding Involving The Foreclosure Of A Lien That Resulted From An Unpaid Penalty Imposed By A Municipality For A Violation Of An Ordinance Regulating Blight.

Impact

The proposed amendments to Section 7-148aa of the general statutes are likely to have significant implications for the legal landscape surrounding municipal enforcement of property ordinances. By establishing a cap on attorney's fees, the bill aims to protect homeowners or landlords from overwhelming financial liabilities during foreclosure cases. This may encourage local governments to reconsider the severity of penalties imposed for blight violations, influencing how ordinances are enforced and potentially leading to more lenient enforcement in cases of minor infractions.

Summary

House Bill 06110 seeks to impose limitations on the amount of attorney's fees that can be awarded in legal proceedings concerning the foreclosure of liens resulting from unpaid municipal penalties. These penalties are typically associated with violations of local ordinances regulating blight. The legislation is introduced as a response to concerns over excessive legal costs incurred by property owners facing such foreclosures, especially in situations where municipalities impose harsh penalties for blight-related violations. The intent is to ensure that the financial burden on property owners is not disproportionately increased due to high legal fees associated with the foreclosure process.

Contention

While the bill is designed to provide relief to property owners, it raises concerns among local governments and municipal authorities. Critics argue that limiting attorney's fees could undermine the effective enforcement of blight ordinances, as municipalities may find it challenging to recover costs associated with foreclosure proceedings. There may also be concerns about whether this could lead to reduced compliance with community standards regarding property maintenance. The tension between protecting property owners' financial interests and ensuring municipalities can uphold local regulations presents a notable point of contention regarding HB 06110.