Local government: nuisance abatement.

Senator Richardson's nuisance abatement legislation expands local governments' authority to collect fines through property liens and special assessments when addressing dangerous building code violations. The measure allows cities and counties to recover penalties related to electrical, plumbing and structural issues that create health and safety hazards, with collected funds dedicated to code enforcement and housing rehabilitation programs.

The bill requires local jurisdictions to establish hardship waiver processes for property owners who demonstrate good faith compliance efforts and financial constraints. Except in cases of immediate danger, authorities must provide reasonable time periods for correcting violations before imposing fines. The expanded collection powers would sunset in 2035 unless renewed by future legislation.

Property owners facing abatement actions retain existing rights to notice and hearings. Cities and counties can recover costs through liens that function like court judgments or special assessments collected alongside property taxes. The measure maintains current provisions allowing recovery of attorney fees by prevailing parties in abatement proceedings.

Funds collected through the new fine authority must support local building and fire code enforcement or revolving loan programs for rehabilitating substandard housing. County recorders may charge cities processing fees for recording liens, with jurisdictions able to recover those costs from property owners during enforcement actions.