Housing

HB 5197 shortens the time homeowners have to challenge a tax deed from two years to one year if they weren't properly notified of the sale. It requires anyone suing to set aside a tax deed to deposit full redemption funds with the court clerk before proceeding. The bill also strengthens the requirement that property purchasers must prove they made "reasonably diligent" efforts to notify potential owners before selling property at tax sale. These changes directly affect property owners who missed tax sale notices and tax deed purchasers seeking to secure title.

HB 4924 prohibits municipalities participating in West Virginia's Municipal Home Rule Program from creating local anti-discrimination ordinances that include protected classes beyond those listed in state law. This means cities and towns in the program cannot add categories like sexual orientation or gender identity to their local non-discrimination protections if state law doesn't already cover them. The bill amends §8-1-5a of West Virginia Code to enforce this restriction, directly affecting participating municipalities' ability to expand local civil rights protections. It does not change existing state protections but limits local governments from adding new ones.

SB 584 shortens the required notice period for tax lien sales in West Virginia from 30 days to 15 days before a deed may be issued (amending §11A-3-55). It also reduces the time homeowners have to challenge a tax deed from two years to one year after the deed is delivered (amending §11A-4-4). The bill requires property owners seeking to contest a sale to deposit funds for redemption before court proceedings can begin. These changes directly affect property owners at risk of losing homes to tax sales and tax lien purchasers.

HB 4707 prohibits counties, cities, towns, and housing authorities from requiring hotels or motels to participate in programs that house homeless individuals or families using housing vouchers. The bill directly affects hotel and motel owners by preventing local governments or housing agencies from mandating their involvement in these programs. Key provisions define "homeless individuals" as those lacking fixed nighttime residence (e.g., living on streets, in shelters, or vehicles) and "hotels/motels" as establishments offering temporary overnight lodging. This bill does not create new housing programs but stops existing or future programs from forcing hotels or motels to join them.