SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5298

BYSenators Craswell and Bauer

Clarifying qualifications for persons assessing real property.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 9, 1989; February 28, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; Conner, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Desley Brooks (786-7443)

                  March 14, 1989

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 13, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Two state agencies, the Department of Personnel and the Department of Revenue, share the responsibility of instruction, testing and certifying assistant county assessors.  It has been suggested that the Department of Revenue should be entirely responsible for assessor education, testing, and certification.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Revenue is responsible for preparing and administering the assessor examination and certifying successful applicants.  No one employed by a county assessor's office is allowed to assess real property without having passed either the examination or the first level course of the International Association of Assessing Officers.

Assessors who receive and maintain professional designations of expertise from professional appraisal organizations are eligible for compensated recognition at a rate of $50 per month for residential designations, and $100 per month for advanced designations.  The additional compensation is to be provided at the approval of the county assessor.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Senate Committee - Testified: Richard Madden, King County Assessor (pro); Ben Gassawa, Clark County Assessor (pro)