SB 487

This bill requires the board of each county (board) to establish a program for

installing lighting on certain eligible properties located in the county. A property is

eligible to have lighting installed if 1) the property is the subject of a foreclosure

action or the county holds a tax certificate with respect to the property for delinquent

property taxes; 2) the property has one or more buildings or other improvements; and

3) the board determines that the property is abandoned or blighted. The board must

develop criteria, which take into consideration all of the circumstances of the

property, for determining whether lighting should be installed on an eligible

property.

The board must contract with an electrician or electrical contractor to install

the lighting on the exterior of any buildings or other improvements on an eligible

property. The lighting must be powered by solar energy and just sufficient for

securing the improvements on the property. The bill provides the contractor with

immunity from civil and criminal liability for acts or omissions related to installing

the lighting under the contract.

The board may delegate any of its responsibilities under the program to any

committee created by the board or any county employee, agency, or department.

Funding for the program comes from a $50 fee that is paid by the plaintiff in each

foreclosure action that is commenced in the county. The fee is in addition to the usual

fee for commencing a foreclosure action, which under current law is $75.