Permitting Auditor to hire private auctioneer to conduct annual auction of land sales

SB 799 allows West Virginia's State Auditor to hire a private auctioneer to conduct annual public auctions of unclaimed or tax-delinquent land. When using a private auctioneer, bidders pay a 10% fee on successful purchases (except for small sales under tax liability), and the Auditor must follow new registration rules to ensure bidders are tax-compliant and not delinquent on property taxes. Nonprofit organizations focused on housing or public facilities get priority bidding if their bid is within 5% of the highest non-profit bid. This bill affects land buyers, private auctioneers, and nonprofits, streamlining the sale process while adding eligibility checks for bidders.