* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Ramos
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Informational Hearing - Judicial In Rem Foreclosure
For the purpose of inviting the Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Deputy City Solicitor, and other relevant parties to come before the City Council to describe the in rem foreclosure process, inform the Council on the capacity of the Department of Housing and Community Development to increase in rem foreclosure cases, inform the Council on the role of the Circuit Court in the in rem foreclosure process, and recommend measures the City Council can take to support these efforts.
body
Recitals
In 2016, the Center for Community Progress authored a report about the Baltimore City tax sale system and suggested a number of reforms, including the implementation of the judicial in rem tax foreclosure process.
In 2019, Maryland Senate Bill 509/House Bill 557, sponsored by Senator Eckardt of
Dorchester County and Delegate Holmes of Prince George’s County, passed the General Assembly, enabling jurisdictions to use in rem foreclosure to acquire vacant and abandoned properties. This was one of the actions recommended by the Tax Sale Task Force study that was completed in 2017.
In 2020, the Baltimore City Council passed Council Bill 20-0529, which established the in
rem tax foreclosure process in Baltimore City.
In rem tax foreclosure allows the City to remove an abandoned property with
liens that exceed the value of the property from tax sale and then foreclose on the liens. The City then takes title of the property and can utilize it for community development purposes in collaboration with the community. It is the best tool the City has to eliminate blight through rehabilitation or demolition of properties, while also controlling the outcome of the process.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the Baltimore City Council invites the Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Deputy City Solicitor, and other relevant parties to come before the City Council to describe the in rem foreclosure process, inform the Council on the capacity of the Department of Housing and Community Development to increase in rem foreclosure cases, inform the Council on the role of the Circuit Court in the in rem foreclosure process, and recommend measures the City Council can take to support these efforts.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Deputy City Solicitor, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.