BILL REQ. #:  H-5395.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/11/08.   

     AN ACT Relating to the use of digital image technology in property revaluation plans; amending RCW 84.41.041 and 84.40.045; and creating a new section.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 84.41.041 and 2001 c 187 s 21 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.
     (3) As part of a revaluation plan approved by the department, county assessors may employ the use of digital image technology for physical inspections. Digital image technology shall only be used in the valuation of property when the property has been damaged through natural disaster, the assessor cannot gain access to the property, or the property is located in an extremely remote region.

Sec. 2   RCW 84.40.045 and 2001 c 187 s 19 are each amended to read as follows:
     The assessor shall give notice of any change in the true and fair value of real property for the tract or lot of land and any improvements thereon no later than thirty days after appraisal: PROVIDED, That no such notice shall be mailed during the period from January 15 to February 15 of each year: PROVIDED FURTHER, That no notice need be sent with respect to changes in valuation of forest land made pursuant to chapter 84.33 RCW.
     The notice shall contain a statement of both the prior and the new true and fair value, stating separately land and improvement values, and a brief statement of the procedure for appeal to the board of equalization and the time, date, and place of the meetings of the board.
     For the first assessment year in which the assessor uses digital image technology for physical inspections, the notice must indicate that digital image technology is being used in the valuation of property in the county. The notice must also provide a web site address where taxpayers can access information describing the technology and how the technology is used in the valuation of property by the assessor. The web site is to be maintained for at least five years.
     The notice shall be mailed by the assessor to the taxpayer.
     If any taxpayer, as shown by the tax rolls, holds solely a security interest in the real property which is the subject of the notice, pursuant to a mortgage, contract of sale, or deed of trust, such taxpayer shall, upon written request of the assessor, supply, within thirty days of receipt of such request, to the assessor the name and address of the person making payments pursuant to the mortgage, contract of sale, or deed of trust, and thereafter such person shall also receive a copy of the notice provided for in this section. Willful failure to comply with such request within the time limitation provided for herein shall make such taxpayer subject to a maximum civil penalty of five thousand dollars. The penalties provided for herein shall be recoverable in an action by the county prosecutor, and when recovered shall be deposited in the county current expense fund. The assessor shall make the request provided for by this section during the month of January.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act applies to taxes levied for collection in 2009 and thereafter.