HB4971 Summary

• Removes population requirement restricting dangerous building remediation requests to municipalities with 500,000+ residents, allowing property owners and tenants within 1,200 feet of dangerous buildings in any municipality to request municipal action.

• Enables private property owners or tenants to file lawsuits in circuit court if municipalities fail to act within 90 days of receiving a request, allowing them to seek court orders to compel building demolition, repair, enclosure, or debris removal.

• Establishes lien mechanisms allowing municipalities and private parties to recover costs (including court costs and attorney's fees) for remediation work, with liens superior to all prior encumbrances except taxes.

• Authorizes expedited demolition of vacant, hazardous residential or commercial buildings 3 stories or less through a streamlined notice process, allowing action within 120 days if owners fail to remediate within 30 days of notice.

• Permits municipalities to inspect, test, and remediate abandoned properties with hazardous substances or petroleum products, with costs recoverable through liens only when hazardous substances are found.