Assigned to GOV                                                                                                                        FOR COMMITTEE

 

 


 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1053

 

tax liens; notice of sale

 

Purpose

 

            Provides county treasurers, in fulfilling statutory requirements for notice, the option of posting the list of delinquent tax liens and notice of sale either in a county newspaper or on the Internet.

 

Background

 

            In an attempt to reach a larger number of people, many industries have begun using the Internet to publish information.  Previous legislation has given various groups the ability to use the Internet as an additional means to post information.  In 1998 S.B. 1333 was passed requiring the Department of Public Safety to establish a sex offender web site.  Arizona Revised Statues 16-913 allows for campaign finance reports to be posted on the Internet.

 

            At the present time, county treasurers must post a copy of a delinquent tax list and notice of sale near the outer door of their office and in a newspaper published in their county.  In rural areas and smaller counties, county newspapers do not always have broad exposure.  Many people in these areas read larger newspapers from other counties and therefore are not aware of the listing for their county.  Furthermore, the cost of publishing the list in a county newspaper can be costly for smaller counties. As of January 2001, 12 Arizona counties -- Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai and Yuma -- have county treasurer web sites.  La Paz county is currently constructing a web site.

 

            The fiscal impact of this legislation is unknown at this time.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Provides county treasurers the option of posting the list of delinquent tax liens and notice of sale either:

 

a.       For two consecutive weeks in a newspaper published in the county.  First publication must occur two or three weeks prior to date of sale (existing criteria for newspaper posting), or

b.      On the Internet for at least two weeks before the date of sale.

 

2.      Removes requirement that county treasurer post the list in a county newspaper.

 


3.      Provides for a general effective date.

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

January 18, 2001