H-4117

AN ACT Relating to annual revaluations of real property; amending RCW 84.41.030, 84.41.041, 84.41.070, and 84.41.090; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 84.41.030 and 1982 1st ex.s. c 46 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Each county assessor shall maintain an active and systematic program of revaluation on a continuous basis, and shall establish a revaluation schedule which will result in revaluation of all taxable real property within the county at least once each four years and physical inspection of all taxable real property within the county at least once each six years.

(2) Each county assessor shall, in conjunction with and assisted by the department of revenue, develop an implementation plan for revaluing all taxable real property in the county annually. This plan will identify, for each year until the plan is fully implemented, the costs associated with annual revaluation, including staffing, computer hardware and software, equipment, training, space and other needs. This plan will also identify one-time costs and ongoing costs. The respective plans will be completed and submitted to the department of revenue no later than October 31, 1992.

(3) The department of revenue shall prepare a report that compiles the results of the plans referred to in subsection (2) of this section, along with options for financing the costs associated with annual revaluation. The department, in conjunction and consultation with the county assessors, shall also identify counties for which a rapid implementation of annual revaluation of the taxable real property would be feasible and result in the most overall benefit. The report shall be provided to the committees of the legislature that deal with revenue matters no later than November 30, 1992.

(3) Not later than January 1, 1999, all taxable property within a county shall be revalued annually and all taxable real property within a county shall be physically inspected at least once each six years except that any county with a population in excess of one million persons shall physically inspect all taxable real property within the county at least once each four years. During the intervals between each physical inspection of real property, the valuation of such property shall be adjusted to its current true and fair value, such adjustments to be made once each year and to be based upon appropriate statistical data.

Sec. 2. RCW 84.41.041 and 1987 c 319 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Each county assessor shall cause taxable real property to be physically inspected and valued ((~~at least once every six years~~)) in accordance with RCW 84.41.030, and in accordance with a plan filed with and approved by the department of revenue. Such revaluation plan shall provide that a reasonable portion of all taxable real property within a county shall be revalued and these newly-determined values placed on the assessment rolls each year. The department may approve a plan that provides that all property in the county be revalued every two years. If the revaluation plan provides for physical inspection at least once each four years, during the intervals between each physical inspection of real property, the valuation of such property may be adjusted to its current true and fair value, such adjustments to be based upon appropriate statistical data. If the revaluation plan provides for physical inspection less frequently than once each four years, during the intervals between each physical inspection of real property, the valuation of such property shall be adjusted to its current true and fair value, such adjustments to be made once each year and to be based upon appropriate statistical data.

(2) The assessor may require property owners to submit pertinent data respecting taxable property in their control including data respecting any sale or purchase of said property within the past five years, the cost and characteristics of any improvement on the property and other facts necessary for appraisal of the property.

Sec. 3. RCW 84.41.070 and 1975 1st ex.s. c 278 s 198 are each amended to read as follows:

If the department of revenue finds upon its own investigation, or upon a showing by others, that the revaluation program for any county is not proceeding for any reason as herein directed, or that the implementation of annual revaluation as required in RCW 84.41.030 is not proceeding for any reason with sufficient rapidity to be completed before ((~~June 1, 1958~~)) January 1, 1999, the department of revenue shall advise both the ((~~board of county commissioners~~)) county legislative authority and the county assessor of such finding. Within thirty days after receiving such advice, the ((~~board of county commissioners~~)) county legislative authority, at regular or special session, either (1) shall authorize such expenditures as will enable the assessor to complete the revaluation program as herein directed, or (2) shall direct the assessor to request special assistance from the department of revenue for aid in effectuating the county's revaluation program.

Sec. 4. RCW 84.41.090 and 1982 1st ex.s. c 46 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

The department of revenue shall by rule establish appropriate statistical methods for use by assessors in adjusting the valuation of ((~~property~~)) residential, commercial, and industrial properties between physical inspections. The department of revenue shall make and publish such additional rules, regulations and guides which it determines are needed to supplement materials presently published by the department of revenue for the general guidance and assistance of county assessors. Each assessor is hereby directed and required to value property in accordance with the standards established by RCW 84.40.030 and in accordance with the applicable rules, regulations, and schedules and valuation manuals published by the department of revenue.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.