HLS 13RS-646 RE-REENGROSSED
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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE BILL NO. 256
BY REPRESENTATIVE PATRICK WILLIAMS AND SENATOR JOHNS
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
TAX/PROPERTY: (Constitutional Amendment) Provides for the redemption period for
blighted, abandoned, uninhabitable, or hazardous property sold at tax sale
A JOINT RESOLUTION1
Proposing to add Article VII, Section 25(B)(3) of the Constitution of Louisiana, relative to2
tax sales occurring in certain parishes; to provide for the redemption period for3
certain blighted or abandoned property sold at tax sale; to provide for submission of4
the proposed amendment to the electors; and to provide for related matters.5
Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members6
elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state of7
Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to add8
Article VII, Section(B)(3) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows:9
§25. Tax Sales10
Section 25.11
* * *12
(B) Redemption.13
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(3) In any parish other than Orleans, when such property sold is vacant15
residential or commercial property which has been declared blighted, as defined by16
R.S. 33:1374(B)(1) on January 1, 2013, or abandoned, as defined by R.S.17
33:4720.59(D)(2) on January 1, 2013, it shall be redeemable for eighteen months18 HLS 13RS-646 RE-REENGROSSED
HB NO. 256
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after the date of recordation of the tax sale by payment in accordance with1
Subparagraph (1) of this Paragraph.2
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Section 2. Be it further resolved that the provisions of the amendment contained in4
this Joint Resolution shall become effective on January 1, 2015.5
Section 3. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted6
to the electors of the state of Louisiana at the statewide election to be held on November 4,7
2014.8
Section 4. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at the election,9
there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted10
to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as11
follows:12
Do you support an amendment providing for an eighteen-month redemption13
period in any parish other than Orleans, for vacant property sold at tax sale14
which is blighted or abandoned? (Effective January 1, 2015) (Adds Article15
VII, Section 25(B)(3)16
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Patrick Williams HB No. 256
Abstract: For purposes of tax sales in any parish other than Orleans, provides an 18-month
redemption period for vacant property sold at tax sale which is blighted or
abandoned.
Present constitution provides that property sold at a tax sale is redeemable for three years
after the sale by paying the price given, plus costs, a 5% penalty, and interest at 1% per
month until redemption.
Present constitution provides that in the city of New Orleans, abandoned or blighted property
shall be redeemable for 18 months after the date of recordation of the tax sale.
Proposed constitutional amendment retains present constitution but adds a provision that in
parishes other than Orleans, that vacant residential or commercial property which is blighted
or abandoned as defined in present law, shall be redeemable for 18 months after recordation
of the tax sale by payment as provided in present constitution. HLS 13RS-646 RE-REENGROSSED
HB NO. 256
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Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election
to be held Nov. 4, 2014.
Effective Jan. 1, 2015.
(Adds Const. Art. VII, §25(B)(3))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Ways and Means to the
original bill.
1. Changes the redemption period for property which is blighted, abandoned,
uninhabitable, or hazardous to 18 months.
House Floor Amendments to the reengrossed bill.
1. Deletes changes relative to abandoned or blighted property in the city of New
Orleans and excludes Orleans Parish from provisions of proposed constitutional
amendment.
2. Adds a provision that in any parish other than Orleans, vacant residential or
commercial property which is blighted or abandoned as defined in present law
shall be redeemable for 18 months after recordation of the tax sale by payment
as provided in present constitution.