The package of blight bills related to communities who have administrative hearings bureaus, SB 35-39, passed the full House of Representatives today.  An amendment was added on the house floor from Rep. Banks (D-Grosse Pointe Woods) that would state any property holding a principal residence exemption containing blight violations would not be subject to foreclosure unless it also was delinquent on taxes.  These bills now move back to the Senate for concurrence.

There have been problems throughout the state with the lack of appropriate contact information when dealing with blighted property notices on financial institution owned property.  In response to those concerns and because of this legislation, the Michigan Department of Information and Financial Services is currently working on integrating a list of registered agents at financial institutions with their website.  In the meantime, anyone who might be interested in that agent information can call DIFS toll-free at 877-999-6442 or DIFS Corporate Review directly at 517-373-7236.

Nikki Brown is a legislative associate for the League handling economic development issues.  She can be reached at nbrown@mml.org or 517-908-0305.