2015 -- H 5750 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TAXATION - LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

     

     Introduced By: Representative Scott Slater

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2015

     Referred To: House Municipal Government

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 44-5-11.7 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-5 entitled "Levy and

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Assessment of Local Taxes" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     44-5-11.7. Permanent legislative oversight commission. -- Permanent oversight

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commission. -- (a) (1) There is created a permanent legislative commission on property taxation.

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The commission consists of the following members:

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      (i) Chairperson of the house finance committee, or designee;

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      (ii) Chairperson of the senate finance committee, or designee;

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      (iii) Chief budget analyst of the office of municipal affairs, or designee;

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     (1) Director of the department of revenue, or designee;

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     (iv)(2) The president director of the league of cities and towns, or designee;

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      (v)(3) The executive director of the Rhode Island public expenditures council, or

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designee; and

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      (vi)(4) Three (3) members of the Rhode Island Assessors' Association as selected by the

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association's board of directors;.

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      (vii) Director of the property valuation within the department of revenue.

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     (5) The secretary of commerce, or designee;

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     (6) A representative of the business community selected by the governor with expertise in

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property valuation and tax policy;

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     (7) One of whom shall be a member of the house of representatives, to be appointed by

 

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the speaker of the house; and

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     (8) One of whom shall be a member of the senate, to be appointed by the president of the

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senate.

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      (2)(b) The commission at its first meeting shall elect a chairperson from its membership.

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      (b)(c) The purpose of the commission is to work in conjunction with Rhode Island

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department of administration, department of revenue and the RIAAO representatives, to study

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and evaluate property tax related issues including, but not limited to:

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      (1) Revaluation process and statistical study after a revaluation;

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      (2) Exemptions and classifications;

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      (3) Uniform depreciation rates; and

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     (4) The use and impact of the tax classification system;

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     (5) The process of appeals of value including litigation; and

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      (4)(6) Any other issues which the commission determines are relevant to the issue of

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property taxation.

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      (c)(d) The members shall receive no compensation for their services. All departments

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and agencies of the state shall furnish advice and information, documentary or otherwise to the

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commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the commission to facilitate the

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purposes of the commission.

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      (d)(e) The commission shall meet no less than three (3) times per year annually or as

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necessary and shall report its findings and recommendations, as needed, to the general assembly

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chairpersons of the house finance committee and senate finance committee on an annual basis.

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The commission shall report back to the general assembly on its analysis of the property tax

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classification system, and the appeal process no later than January 15, 2016.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TAXATION - LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

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     This act would change the name and composition of the legislative commission

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established to study and evaluate property tax related issues, including tax classification systems

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and the process of valuation appeals by making it a permanent commission.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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