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

DateAction
01/13/2009Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/14/09 097439256
01/13/2009Referred to Committee on Local Government
01/27/2009Reported from Local Government with amendments (8-Y 6-N 1-A) (see vote tally)
01/29/2009Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
01/30/2009Read second time
01/30/2009Passed by for the day
02/02/2009Passed by for the day
02/03/2009Read second time
02/03/2009Reading of amendments waived
02/03/2009Committee amendments rejected
02/03/2009Floor substitute printed 097689288-S1 (Obenshain )
02/03/2009Reading of substitute waived
02/03/2009Substitute by Senator Obenshain agreed to 097689288-S1
02/03/2009Engrossed by Senate - floor substitute SB1094S1
02/04/2009Read third time and passed Senate (37-Y 3-N) (see vote tally)
02/11/2009Placed on Calendar
02/11/2009Read first time
02/11/2009Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
02/13/2009Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (20-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/13/2009Committee substitute printed 097695256-H1
02/16/2009Read second time
02/17/2009Read third time
02/17/2009Committee substitute agreed to 097695256-H1
02/17/2009Engrossed by House - committee substitute SB1094H1
02/17/2009Passed House with substitute (82-Y 13-N)
02/17/2009VOTE: --- PASSAGE (82-Y 13-N) (see vote tally)
02/19/2009House substitute agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/19/2009Title replaced 097695256-H1
02/24/2009Enrolled
02/24/2009Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB1094ER)
02/25/2009Signed by Speaker
02/27/2009Signed by President
03/27/2009G Approved by Governor-Chapter 551 (effective 7/1/09)
03/27/2009G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0551)

Video

This bill was discussed on the floor of the General Assembly. Below is all of the video that we have of that discussion, 3 clips in all, totaling 4 minutes.

Comments

Ramzi writes:

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.