Senate Bill 543 Summary

• Authorizes municipalities to collect unpaid solid waste, sewer, and storm water drainage service accounts through a formal lien process requiring 10 days' notice to account holders and property owners.

• Establishes a hearing process before a municipal governing body or hearing officer to determine delinquency after 4 months of nonpayment and assess actual service costs and related expenses.

• Allows municipalities to file a notice of lien with the county clerk after a delinquency finding, and permits county treasurers to certify unpaid amounts as a tax levy collectible like other taxes, with a $5 collection fee per parcel.

• Permits municipalities to discontinue solid waste service and, for sewer accounts, discontinue water service if necessary to enforce delinquency, with provisions allowing new property owners to establish service without assuming prior owner liability.

• Provides account holders and property owners the right to appeal delinquency determinations and exempts severed mineral interests from tax and judgment liens created under this procedure.