Iowa House Bill HSB163

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/15/23
• Refer: 2/15/23

Caption

A bill for an act relating to requirements for the split and consolidation of parcels.(See HF 539.)

Impact

The implications of HSB163 are significant for property owners and county officials involved in land transactions. By requiring that parcels be free from various financial encumbrances before they can be split or consolidated, the bill intends to prevent complications that can arise from unpaid taxes and assessments. This could streamline the process of managing land parcels and improve the accuracy of land records, potentially benefiting both property owners and local governments by ensuring that only eligible properties are subject to these types of transactions.

Summary

House Study Bill 163 is aimed at establishing specific requirements regarding the split and consolidation of land parcels in Iowa. The bill defines 'split' as the division of a parcel into two or more parcels without needing a plat of survey or acquisition plat, while 'consolidation' refers to merging multiple tracts of land into a single parcel. It introduces new regulations stipulating that a county assessor or auditor must not approve such splits or consolidations unless all involved parcels are free from unpaid property taxes, special assessments, and drainage assessments that haven't been waived or abated, and that they are not under the redemption period following a tax sale.

Contention

While the bill is principally focused on regulatory aspects of land management, it may provoke discussion regarding the adequacy of current property tax assessment systems and their impact on landowners. There may be arguments surrounding how stringent requirements could affect smaller landowners who may struggle to clear unpaid taxes or assessments, thereby restricting their ability to utilize their properties effectively. Concerns could also emerge regarding the handling of claims related to unpaid property taxes and how these financial obligations are communicated to landowners prior to the approval of any split or consolidation.