Bill > HB493

This bill proposes to sunset (end) the sale of delinquent property tax certificates on January 1, 2027. Currently, county treasurers can sell tax certificates—which are essentially liens on properties with unpaid taxes—through public auctions or negotiated sales. The bill amends existing law to prohibit any sales of tax certificates after December 31, 2026, and declares that any certificates sold after that date would be void. The legislation maintains the existing processes for tax certificate sales until the sunset date, including provisions for public auctions, negotiated sales, and the rights of certificate holders. The bill specifically modifies sections 5721.32, 5721.33, and 5721.42 of the Ohio Revised Code to implement this sunset provision. The changes ensure that all tax certificate sales and transfers must be completed by the end of 2026, after which the current tax certificate sale mechanism will no longer be legally permitted. This change effectively terminates the current method of selling tax certificates for delinquent property taxes in Ohio, potentially requiring alternative methods for collecting unpaid property taxes in the future.

Government Affairs

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb493