Public utility liens.

Existing law allows a public utility to obtain a judgment lien on real property for unpaid utility charges. Existing law requires the judgment lien to be filed against the real property owner who incurred the charges. Unless the money judgment is satisfied or the lien is released, a judgment lien continues with the property for 10 years. Existing law also provides that a lien for charges for water, sanitation, storm drainage, or sewerage systems services and facilities, of certain municipal utility entities, shall have the force, effect, and priority of a judgment lien when a certificate specifying the amount of unpaid charges is recorded with the county recorder. This bill would require the trustee or mortgagee of a defaulted deed of trust mortgage on real property to satisfy any existing judgment liens, as provided, filed by a public utility of any city, county, or city and county against the judgment debtor prior to sale of the real property.