Read first time 01/11/2007.   Referred to Committee on Local Government.

     AN ACT Relating to eliminating advance property tax payments for binding site plans; and amending RCW 84.40.042 and 58.08.040.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 84.40.042 and 2002 c 168 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) When real property is divided in accordance with chapter 58.17 RCW, the assessor shall carefully investigate and ascertain the true and fair value of each lot and assess each lot on that same basis, unless specifically provided otherwise by law. For purposes of this section, "lot" has the same definition as in RCW 58.17.020.
     (a) For each lot on which an advance tax deposit has been paid in accordance with RCW 58.08.040, the assessor shall establish the true and fair value by October 30th of the year following the recording of the plat, replat, or altered plat((, or binding site plan)). The value established shall be the value of the lot as of January 1st of the year the original parcel of real property was last revalued. An additional property tax shall not be due on the land until the calendar year following the year for which the advance tax deposit was paid if the deposit was sufficient to pay the full amount of the taxes due on the property.
     (b) For each lot on which an advance tax deposit has not been paid, the assessor shall establish the true and fair value not later than the calendar year following the recording of the plat, map, subdivision, or replat. For purposes of this section, "subdivision" means a division of land into two or more lots.
     (c) For each subdivision, all current year and delinquent taxes and assessments on the entire tract must be paid in full in accordance with RCW 58.17.160 and 58.08.030 except when property is being acquired by a government for public use. For purposes of this section, "current year taxes" means taxes that are collectible under RCW 84.56.010 subsequent to February 14th.
     (2) When the assessor is required by law to segregate any part or parts of real property, assessed before or after July 27, 1997, as one parcel or when the assessor is required by law to combine parcels of real property assessed before or after July 27, 1997, as two or more parcels, the assessor shall carefully investigate and ascertain the true and fair value of each part or parts of the real property and each combined parcel and assess each part or parts or each combined parcel on that same basis.

Sec. 2   RCW 58.08.040 and 1997 c 393 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:
     Prior to any person recording a plat, replat, or altered plat((, or binding site plan)) subsequent to May 31st in any year and prior to the date of the collection of taxes in the ensuing year, the person shall deposit with the county treasurer a sum equal to the product of the county assessor's latest valuation on the property less improvements in such subdivision multiplied by the current year's dollar rate increased by twenty-five percent on the property platted. The treasurer's receipt shall be evidence of the payment. The treasurer shall appropriate so much of the deposit as will pay the taxes and assessments on the property when the levy rates are certified by the assessor using the value of the property at the time of filing a plat, replat, or altered plat, ((or binding site plan,)) and in case the sum deposited is in excess of the amount necessary for the payment of the taxes and assessments, the treasurer shall return, to the party depositing, the amount of excess.