SB373 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Trip Pittman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Revenue Dept., sale of state land, employment of auctioneer, Sec. 40-10-134 am'd.

Summary

SB373 would require the Land Commissioner to hire a nationally recognized auction company to publicly auction tax-delinquent lands not redeemed after five years, while preserving a private sale option.

What This Bill Does

It adds a mandatory public auction process every five years for lands not redeemed within five years, by contracting with a nationally recognized auction company. The auction contract must be a contingency fee arrangement with all expenses borne by the company. The Land Commissioner would still be allowed to privately sell such lands for cash at the best price after five years, with the tax lien certificate holders given the option to purchase at the private sale price. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it is passed and approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• Land Commissioner and the state of Alabama, who would implement and oversee mandatory public auctions for certain tax-delinquent lands and continue to manage private sale options.
• Owners holding tax lien certificates on lands subject to these provisions, who would retain the option to purchase at the private sale price under the new framework.

Key Provisions

• By July 31, 2016 and every five years thereafter, the Land Commissioner must contract with a nationally recognized auction company to publicly auction lands sold for non-payment of taxes that have not been redeemed within five years of sale.
• The auction contract must be a contingency fee arrangement with all expenses borne by the auction company.
• After five years, the Land Commissioner may sell such lands at private sale to the highest cash bidder for the best price obtainable, regardless of the amount of taxes due, with notice to interested parties; the holder of a tax lien certificate may purchase the land for an amount equal to the best private sale price.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and Governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Revenue Department