Bill > SB765

This bill establishes a "Legacy Protection Program" administered by the State Tax Sale Ombudsman to help heirs who inherit a dwelling, allowing them to become the official owner, prevent their inherited home from being sold due to unpaid taxes, and remain living in their home. The bill expands the definition of "homeowner" to include the estate, personal representative, or an heir or legatee of a deceased homeowner who is entitled to inherit the dwelling, thereby making these individuals eligible for services offered by the Ombudsman. It also creates a dedicated "Legacy Protection Fund" to finance this program, with contributions from state appropriations and county governments derived from interest on overdue property taxes, and increases the property value limit for heirs to receive grants for legal assistance and probate fees from $350,000 to $450,000. Additionally, the bill clarifies that interest earned on the Legacy Protection Fund accrues to the fund itself, rather than the General Fund, and delays the effective date of certain provisions to July 1, 2027.