Amending Chapter 19-3100 by requiring the filing and enforcement of judgments for delinquent taxes in any jurisdiction in the United States where the judgment debtor has assets and requiring the submission of an annual report, all under certain terms and conditions.

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 19-3100 of The Philadelphia Code is amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 19-3100. ATTORNEY AND OTHER COLLECTION FEES IN COLLECTION MATTERS; RETENTION OF PRIVATE ATTORNEYS AND OTHER COLLECTORS[.]

; OBLIGATION TO FILE AND ENFORCE JUDGMENTS; ANNUAL REPORTS.

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§ 19-3102. Retention of Private Attorneys and Collection Agencies in Collection Matters[.]

;

Obligation to File and Enforce Judgments; Annual Reports.

When the Law Department retains private attorneys or collection agencies to handle to completion the collection of delinquent taxes and municipal claims, and for related matters, such contracts may be made on a contingent fee or hourly rate basis and shall be for such term and contain such conditions as the City Solicitor deems necessary or desirable in the interest of the City.

The Law Department, through its own attorneys or through the retention of local counsel, shall in the discretion of the City Solicitor, file and enforce all judgments for delinquent taxes and city claims in any jurisdiction in the United States where the judgment debtor has assets real or personal, that can be attached in satisfaction of the City's delinquent taxes or claims.

The Law Department shall file a report with the Chief Clerk of City Council by January 31 of each fiscal year detailing the:

The number of judgments filed in foreign jurisdictions and where;

The dollar-amount of the City taxes or claims represented by the judgments filed in foreign jurisdictions;

The dollar-aount recovered as a result of filing and enforcing judgments in foreign jurisdictions; and

The costs incurred during the preceding fiscal year related to filing and enforcing judgments in the foreign jurisdictions.

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Explanation:

[Brackets] indicate matter deleted.

Italics

indicate new matter added.

End