WOODLAND HILLS—AB 1090 and AB 1293, both authored by Assembly member Bob Blumenfield (D-San Fernando Valley), were recently signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. One bill brings back an important tax assistance program, while the other gives prosecutors better tools in punishing those who would seek to take advantage of the Valley’s elderly community.

AB 1090 gives counties the authority to reinstitute the Senior and Disabled Citizens Property Tax Postponement Program, a program that ran from 1977-2009. According to the legislation, county boards of supervisors are now allowed to operate local programs that would cover the participant’s property taxes in exchange for a property lien with an annual rate of 7 percent. The county would be reimbursed when that property is sold or transferred. Eligibility for this program would be restricted to persons with 20 percent equity in their homes and a yearly income of under $35,500.

Before this program was suspended in 2009, 20 percent of residents that participated lived in Los Angeles County. AB 1090 was the second attempt by Blumenfield to bring this program back, as an earlier effort was vetoed by then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“After years of anxiety, we have cause for hope,” said Blumenfield. “For too long, seniors and Californians living with disabilities have lived in fear of losing their homes because they can’t afford their property taxes. By reinventing this program, we can help prevent tax-induced foreclosures from victimizing people in need of help.”

AB 1293 gives prosecutors the option to “seize and freeze” assets of any defendant standing trial for elder financial abuse. In cases involving theft or embezzlement of over $100,000, this bill permits courts to order preservation of that defendant’s property ensuring assets will be available to pay restitution if convicted.

“People who steal from seniors shouldn’t be allowed to mount an expensive defense with the stolen money,” said Blumenfield. “That adds shameless insult to injury for victims. Prosecutors now have a powerful new tool to bring justice to seniors and prevent them from being victimized twice.”