CHAPTER 131
An Act to establish a pilot project in the City of Danville regarding recordation of deeds subject to liens for unpaid taxes.
Approved February 21, 2017
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. § 1. The City of Danville is hereby authorized to establish a pilot project regarding recordation of deeds subject to liens for unpaid taxes in accordance with the provisions of this act. Such pilot project may only be established by ordinance adopted by the city council after a public hearing.
§ 2. Such ordinance may provide that no deed conveying a parcel of real property that has an assessed value for taxation of $50,000 or less located in the City of Danville shall be recorded by the clerk unless the city director of finance or his designee has certified on the face of such deed that there are no liens against such real property for unpaid local taxes or for other fines or charges assessed by the city that rank on a parity with liens for unpaid taxes and are enforceable in the same manner.
§ 3. The provisions of this act shall not apply to (i) any deeds of trust; (ii) any deeds of easement; (iii) any deeds in which a public service company, railroad, or cable system operator is either a grantor or grantee; (iv) any deeds prepared under the supervision of the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia; (v) any deeds conveying property to the Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authority as grantee; and (vi) any deeds conveying a parcel of real property pursuant to Chapter 39 (§ 58.1-3900 et seq.) of Title 58.1 of the Code of Virginia.
§ 4. The clerk shall be immune from suit arising from any acts or omissions relating to the pilot project pursuant to this act unless the clerk was grossly negligent or engaged in willful misconduct.
2. That if such pilot project is established, the City of Danville shall make a written report to the Virginia Housing Commission on or before May 31, 2020.
3. That the provisions of this act shall expire on July 1, 2021.