MS HB537

Municipalities may waive liens for cleanup costs and penalties (up to $1,500 or 50% of actual cost) assessed against properties deemed a menace due to code violations, when collection is deemed unlikely and waiver would facilitate property redevelopment

Only new or prospective property owners may apply for lien waivers; the previous owner responsible for the code violations is prohibited from receiving amnesty

Applicants must submit redevelopment plans, a property appraisal, and purchase documentation showing the price does not exceed appraised value; cleanup work must have occurred at least one year prior to application

Conditional waivers require completion of agreed improvements within 12-18 months; failure to meet conditions results in payment of principal plus 8% interest, and unauthorized property sales trigger an additional $1,500 penalty

Governing authorities must formally find that debt collection would be ineffectual and that clearing liens would benefit the municipality before approving any waiver