HCS/SCS/SB 510 - This act modifies the laws regarding municipal annexations, the taxation of security companies, assessment of real estate, the termination of water and sewer services, and complaints about real estate appraisals. VOLUNTARY ANNEXATIONS (Sections 71.012, 71.014, and 71.015) This act specifies that a petition requesting a voluntary annexation needs to be notarized instead of verified. Any action to invalidate a previous annexation must be brought within three years of the date of the adoption of the annexation ordinance, except for an action to deannex an area for failure of the annexing municipality to provide required services to the area within three years. In that situation, the action must be brought within four years from the effective date of the annexation. This provision is identical to HB 1573 (2012) and a provision of HCS/SCS/SB 729 (2012). TAXATION OF SECURITY COMPANIES (Section 94.110) This act adds residential and commercial alarm and security entities to the list of vocations and businesses that third-class cities may levy a license tax on. PROPERTY ASSESSMENT (Section 137.076) This act requires county assessors to consider foreclosures and bank sales when establishing the value of parcels of real property for property tax purposes. This provision is similar to SB 52 (2011) and similar to provisions contained within SB 671 (2010). WATER AND SEWER SERVICES (Section 250.140) This act provides that the owner of a premises who terminates water or sewer service to an occupant of the premises due to delinquent payments is not liable for damages and will not be considered to have constructively evicted the tenant, or be guilty of forcible entry and detainer. REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL COMPLAINTS (Section 339.098) This act specifies that any person who purchases or pays for a real estate appraisal for property he or she owns or has a contract to purchase will have standing to file a complaint with the Real Estate Appraisers Commission. This provision is similar to HB 1766 (2012), HB 1885 (2012), and a provision of HCS/SCS/SB 729 (2012). EMILY KALMER
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