Assignment of income, prizes, and earnings to pay a municipal court judgment and prohibiting municipal electric or water utilities from collecting certain utility arrearages from owners of rental properties as property liens

2. Allow the person to pay the judgment by making installment payments.

3. Order the person to perform community service work in lieu of paying the judgment.

4. Suspend the person's driving privileges until the judgment is paid, including taking possession of the person's license to drive.

This bill provides the court with another option by allowing the court to issue an order assigning not more than 25 percent of the person's earnings, worker's compensation, pension, and other money due to the person, including lottery prizes, to pay an unpaid judgment.

Under current law, a municipal utility may collect arrearages for utility service provided to lots or parcels of real estate by providing, on October 15, a written notice of payment due to the owner or occupant of the real estate. The notice must specify the amount of the arrearage and any penalty and must state the following: 1) that, if payment is not received by November 1, an additional penalty will be assessed; and 2) that, if payment is not received by November 15, the arrearage amount and any penalties will become a lien on the property that will be collected as a tax on the property.

Also under current law, if a municipal utility provides electric or water service to a rental dwelling unit, the municipal utility may use the arrearage collection procedure described above only if the municipal utility follows certain additional procedures for notifying both the owner and the tenant about any payments that are past due. In addition, the municipal utility may use the arrearage collection procedure only if the owner of the rental property provides the municipal utility with written notification of the name and address of the owner, as well as of the tenant who is responsible for paying for the service. Also, if requested by the municipal utility, the owner must provide the municipal utility with a copy of the rental or lease agreement in which the tenant assumes responsibility for payment of utility charges.

This bill prohibits a municipal utility that provides electric or water service to a rental dwelling unit from using the arrearage collection procedure described above, but only if the owner has provided the municipal utility with written notification of the name and address of the owner, as well as of the tenant who is responsible for paying for the service. A municipal utility may also request a copy of the rental or lease agreement in which the tenant assumes responsibility for payment of utility charges. However, after the owner has provided written notice of the owner's and tenant's names and addresses, the municipal utility may not use the arrearage collection procedure.