AL HB196

Amends Alabama Code sections 40-10-132 and 40-10-134 to authorize the Land Commissioner to sell state-owned tax-delinquent property through online public auction after five years without redemption or sale, effective January 1, 2025.

Requires the Land Commissioner to maintain a listing of all lands bid in by the state, including legal description, taxes due, and date of purchase, with sales allowed through private sale, municipal/county sales, joint entity sales, or land bank authority transfers.

Establishes online auction procedures requiring contract with a nationally recognized auction company on a contingency fee basis (not to exceed 15 percent of successful bids) with all expenses borne by the company; property must meet eligibility criteria including at least five years since bid-in date and no active price quotes.

Mandates 30-day advance notice via Department of Revenue website publication listing properties to be auctioned, with prominent disclosure that purchasers receive only tax lien interest without clear title and may have additional liens.

Requires equal three-way or two-way distribution of auction proceeds: properties with state, county, and municipal taxes divide into thirds (one share each to State General Fund, county fund, and municipality); properties with only state and county taxes divide equally between State General Fund and county fund.