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SB0168

Public Nuisances: Adding Gambling Houses and Removing Fine Limits

Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 10:35 AM

In one sentence

This law adds gambling houses to the list of places that can be declared public nuisances and removes a $15,000 limit on total fines for these violations.

Adds sites used as gambling houses to the list of places that may be declared public nuisances if they violate laws more than twice in 12 months.
Removes the rule that limits the total amount of fines imposed on a public nuisance to $15,000.
Allows local governments to charge daily fines up to $250 for uncorrected nuisances and increases them to $500 per day if not fixed within one year.
Defines 'legal assistant' as someone who does legal research under an attorney's supervision so their fees can be included in court costs.
Requires that orders declaring a property a nuisance be recorded so new owners know about the violation.

Property owners whose sites are used for gambling, drug sales, stolen goods, or violent crimes multiple times within specific time periods.
Local governments and nuisance abatement boards that enforce these rules and collect fines.
Legal assistants who provide non-clerical support in public nuisance cases.

The law does not allow liens to be foreclosed on homes protected as homesteads under the state constitution.
Property owners with multiple tenants may avoid fines and liens if they evict a tenant involved in stolen property crimes within 90 days of notice.

Plain language

Public Nuisance: A place or property used repeatedly for illegal activities like drug sales, gambling, or violent crimes that harms the community.
Abate: To stop, remove, or fix a problem so it no longer exists.
Lien: A legal claim against property that must be paid before the owner can sell or transfer the land.

Official record

Source attached

Public Nuisances

Official activity