HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5056

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                           Finance

Title:  An act relating to limiting property assessments to permitted land use.

Brief Description:  Limiting property assessments to permitted land use.

Sponsors:  Senators McCaslin and Roach.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Finance:  3/20/97, 4/7/97 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 15 members:  Representatives B. Thomas, Chairman; Carrell, Vice Chairman; Mulliken, Vice Chairman; Dunshee, Ranking Minority Member; Dickerson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Boldt; Butler; Conway; Kastama; Mason; Morris; Pennington; Schoesler; Thompson and Van Luven.

Staff:  Rick Peterson (786-7150).

Background:  All property in the state subject to taxation must be listed and assessed each year.  Such property is valued at 100 percent of its true and fair value unless otherwise provided by law.  The appraisal must be consistent with the comprehensive land use plan, development regulations under the Growth Management Act, zoning, and any other governmental practices in place at the time of the appraisal which impact the use of the property.

Summary of Bill:  Property that is subject to taxation may not be assessed at a level which assumes a higher use of the land than that permitted under zoning or land use planning laws which exist at the time of the appraisal.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Some taxpayers may feel they are taxed at values which include uses that are no longer allowed.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Fred Sager, Washington State Association of County Officials.