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NEWS BRIEFS
W.Va. Legislature offers help on vacant buildings
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia’s cities and towns would be able to collect fees and file lawsuits over vacant buildings under a bill approved by the Legislature.
The Senate voted Friday to send the measure to Gov. Joe Manchin.
The bill targets buildings that are either unoccupied or left unlocked and open to trespassers. Municipalities that start a registry could collect fees from the owners of such properties, and file lawsuits or liens to enforce that.
The local government could also require out-of-state owners to provide a local contact for when public health or safety issues arise.
The state’s Municipal League supported the bill, but some Republicans in the House of Delegates warned it gives too much power to local governments.
