Derelict buildings and structures; locality authorized to require removal, repair, etc., thereof. (SB1094)
Introduced By
Sen. Mamie Locke (D-Hampton) with support from co-patrons Sen. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), Sen. Yvonne Miller (D-Norfolk), and Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple (D-Arlington)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✓ |
Passed Committee |
✓ |
Passed House |
✓ |
Passed Senate |
✓ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Derelict buildings. Defines derelict building as one that has endangered public health and safety, been vacant, boarded up, and without lawful utilities for a period in excess of six months. Authorizes local governments to incentivize owners' timely submission of a plan for demolition or renovation, by providing real estate tax abatements and fee refunds. Simplifies tax lien enforcement and blight provisions and encourages action on derelict buildings by adjusting time frames. This bill is recommended by the Virginia Housing Commission. Read the Bill »
Outcome
Bill Has Passed
History
Date | Action |
---|---|
01/13/2009 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/14/09 097439256 |
01/13/2009 | Referred to Committee on Local Government |
01/27/2009 | Reported from Local Government with amendments (8-Y 6-N 1-A) (see vote tally) |
01/29/2009 | Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
01/30/2009 | Read second time |
01/30/2009 | Passed by for the day |
02/02/2009 | Passed by for the day |
02/03/2009 | Read second time |
02/03/2009 | Reading of amendments waived |
02/03/2009 | Committee amendments rejected |
02/03/2009 | Floor substitute printed 097689288-S1 (Obenshain ) |
02/03/2009 | Reading of substitute waived |
02/03/2009 | Substitute by Senator Obenshain agreed to 097689288-S1 |
02/03/2009 | Engrossed by Senate - floor substitute SB1094S1 |
02/04/2009 | Read third time and passed Senate (37-Y 3-N) (see vote tally) |
02/11/2009 | Placed on Calendar |
02/11/2009 | Read first time |
02/11/2009 | Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns |
02/13/2009 | Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (20-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
02/13/2009 | Committee substitute printed 097695256-H1 |
02/16/2009 | Read second time |
02/17/2009 | Read third time |
02/17/2009 | Committee substitute agreed to 097695256-H1 |
02/17/2009 | Engrossed by House - committee substitute SB1094H1 |
02/17/2009 | Passed House with substitute (82-Y 13-N) |
02/17/2009 | VOTE: --- PASSAGE (82-Y 13-N) (see vote tally) |
02/19/2009 | House substitute agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
02/19/2009 | Title replaced 097695256-H1 |
02/24/2009 | Enrolled |
02/24/2009 | Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB1094ER) |
02/25/2009 | Signed by Speaker |
02/27/2009 | Signed by President |
03/27/2009 | G Approved by Governor-Chapter 551 (effective 7/1/09) |
03/27/2009 | G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0551) |
Comments
What happened to the right to own property? Simply because a structure is vacant does not make it a threat to public safety, and to infringe upon someone's civil rights in such an instance is contrary to the Constitution. A building in good repair and sealed against intrusion and the elements is not a public safety issue. It is naive to believe that all buildings in a city will be occupied at all times, and that there are not valid reasons for them to be periodically vacant, sometimes for extended periods. Suppose you can't rent out your property or there is an ongoing legal matter to resolve? Suppose you just can't afford to renovate at the time, or like now, the market is horrible and you just can't sell it? It would make more sense for the city to go after property owners for back taxes on derelict properties, the people that have actually done something wrong. Auctioning derelict property to the public rather than demolishing it would also generate income as well as preserving old structures, not to mention the factor of conserving resources on several levels.