SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5111

               As Passed Senate, March 10, 1997

Title:  An act relating to the preparation of maps by county assessors for listing of real estate.

Brief Description:  Requiring the preparation of maps by county assessors for listing of real estate.

Sponsors:  Senators Winsley and Loveland.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  1/30/97, 2/13/97 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/10/97, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Anderson, Horn, Patterson and Swanson.

Staff:  Kathleen Healy (786-7403)

Background:  The county assessor lists all real property subject to taxation.  The list is placed in the plat and description book in numerical order.  The list contains the names and owners, the number of acres and lots or parts of lots included in each property description, and the value per acre and lot.  Concern has been expressed that assessors do not have explicit authority to maintain maps of the real property in the county.

Summary of Bill:  The county assessor prepares and keeps a complete set of maps.  The maps indicate parcel configuration for county lands.  The maps are continually updated to reflect transactions or events which change the boundaries of any parcel.  If necessary, parcels are numbered or new map pages prepared to update combinations or divisions of parcels.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The idea behind this bill is to have county assessors give complete and total information.  Some entities believe they have the right to maintain and keep these changes.  This bill will clarify who is responsible for maintaining the maps.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Scott Noble, Washington Association of County Assessors/King County Assessor (pro).