MS HB629

Authorizes county boards of supervisors to collect costs and penalties for cleaning menaced properties (overgrown weeds, dilapidated buildings, rubbish) either as a civil debt against the property owner or as a lien against the property

Allows counties to file suit on open account against property owners to recover cleaning costs, penalties, court costs, attorney's fees, and interest when pursuing civil debt collection

Establishes that liens placed on properties for cleaning costs become encumbrances that follow the title, remaining attached even when property ownership transfers

Retains existing penalty limits of up to $1,500 or 50% of actual cleaning costs (whichever is greater) and annual cleaning expense caps of $20,000 or fair market value

Effective date of July 1, 2021