Deputy county assessor authorization amended, advanced

A bill intended to modernize county government processes advanced to final reading March 6 after lawmakers amended it to include a measure that would expedite the removal of abandoned mobile homes.

Sponsored by Omaha Sen. Kathleen Kauth, LB834 would allow a county assessor to appoint one or more deputies who would perform the assessor’s duties in their absence.

Among several other technical updates, the bill also would eliminate a $5 mobile home park permit fee and allow delinquent taxes on mobile homes, cabin trailers and manufactured homes to be extinguished after 15 years.

Sen. Paul Strommen of Sidney introduced an amendment on select file to include provisions of his LB1230. They would include mobile homes under the state’s Disposition of Personal Property Landlord and Tenant Act, which governs how landlords handle abandoned personal property.

Under the bill, homes valued under $2,000 could be disposed of at the landlord’s discretion, while homes valued over $2,000 could be sold at public auction. After completing the required steps, landlords could obtain a certificate of title from the state Department of Motor Vehicles, giving them legal control of the property.

After voting 28-0 to adopt Strommen’s amendment, senators advanced LB834 to the final round of debate by voice vote.