SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 2567

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Government Operations, February 23, 1996

Title:  An act relating to notifying the assessor's office when actions are taken relating to real property.

Brief Description:  Notifying the assessor of real property actions.

Sponsors:  Representatives Wolfe, Rust, Scheuerman, Scott, Costa, Chappell, Linville, Dickerson, Romero, McMahan, Murray, Tokuda, Morris and Conway.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/20/96, 2/23/96 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Goings, Hale, Heavey, McCaslin and Winsley.

Staff:  Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background:  In 1995, the Legislature enacted elaborate provisions regarding local project reviews to provide a coordinated process for evaluating and approving permit requests within the requirements of the Growth Management Act (GMA), the Shorelines Management Act, the state Environmental Protection Act and other measures governing land use.  The local evaluation process for a permit application is concluded with the issuance of a notice of decision.  The notice must be provided to the permit applicant and any other person requesting a copy.  There is no requirement that a notice of decision be provided to the county assessor.

The county assessor is required to maintain an active and systematic program of revaluation so that every parcel in the county is reviewed at least once every four years.  There is no authority to otherwise interrupt this process and revaluate a property upon the receipt of a notice of decision on a permit application.

There is no requirement that a local government planning under GMA provide copies of its comprehensive plan or development regulations to the county assessor. 

Summary of Amended Bill:  When issuing a notice of decision on a local project review, a local government must provide a copy to the county assessor's office of the county or counties in which the property is located.  The county assessor is authorized, notwithstanding any existing program of revaluation, to change a valuation of a parcel, as appropriate, upon receipt of a notice of decision pertaining to the value of the property.  A local government planning under the GMA must provide the county assessor with a copy of the comprehensive plan and development regulations in effect on July 1 of each year, beginning on July 1, 1997.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The striking amendment identifies existing notification requirements for local governments planning under GMA, and otherwise, and adds the requirement that decisions on project permit applications be provided to county assessors.  The original bill created a new notification requirement for counties, cities and towns which requires compliance within five working days of approvals or designations regarding land use.  It did not require notification of denials.  The original bill did not direct the assessor to make the valuation change notwithstanding the valuation cycle, as does the striking amendment.  The striking amendment requires all state permit agencies to notify the county assessors state level land use decisions.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The striking amendment makes sure the assessor gets the information and can revalue out of cycle.  Five days is an impractical time in which to expect local governments to provide notice.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Cathy Wolfe, prime sponsor; Fred Saeger, WA Assn. of Counties; Scott Merriman, WA Environmental Council; Ron Shultz, National Society.