Mississippi House Bill HB625

Mississippi 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/25
• Refer: 1/15/25
• Failed: 2/4/25

Caption

Ad valorem taxes; revise certain provisions regarding disposition of excess proceeds from sale of land for.

Impact

The proposed changes in HB625 may significantly impact landowners who find themselves in situations where their property is sold due to unpaid taxes. The removal of the two-year request period could limit the opportunities for landowners to recoup excess funds from the sale of their property. As currently stated, any surplus from the sale of land would be retained by the county if the owner does not act within the newly stipulated timeframe. This change could lead to financial losses for some landowners who may not be aware of their rights or the need to act quickly.

Summary

House Bill 625 seeks to amend Section 27-41-77 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, which pertains to the sale of land for nonpayment of taxes and the handling of excess proceeds resulting from such sales. This bill proposes the removal of the existing provision that allows landowners a two-year period to request payment of any excess bid amounts if the land is not redeemed. By eliminating this provision, the bill effectively transfers the excess proceeds directly to the county treasury without obligation to pay the former landowner after the redemption period has expired.

Contention

The modification brought by HB625 could be contentious among stakeholders, especially landowners and local government entities. Proponents of the bill may argue that it simplifies the process and ensures that excess funds are promptly allocated to county resources, thus promoting efficiency in county financial management. However, opponents might contend that this legislation undermines property rights and could harm low-income individuals who may struggle to redeem their land in time. There may also be concerns about the fairness of retaining excess funds without offering a recourse for affected property owners.