2021 -- S 0792

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LC002563

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

     Introduced By: Senator Stephen R. Archambault

     Date Introduced: April 08, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 44-5-20.05, 44-5-20.06, 44-5-20.07 and 44-5-20.08 of the General

Laws in Chapter 44-5 entitled "Levy and Assessment of Local Taxes" are hereby amended to read

as follows:

     44-5-20.05. Westerly and Smithfield -- Property tax classification Westerly --

Property tax classification.

     The towns town of Westerly and Smithfieldmay may, by resolution or ordinance adopted

by its respective the town council, provide for a system of classification of taxable property in

conformity with the provisions of §§ 44-5-20.06 -- 44-5-20.08.

     44-5-20.06. Westerly and Smithfield -- Property tax classification -- List of ratable

property Westerly -- Property tax classification -- List of ratable property.

     Upon adoption of a system of classification of taxable property by the town of Westerly or

by the town of Smithfield, all ratable property in the town of Westerly or Smithfield, as the case

may be, shall be classified by the assessor as follows:

     (1) Class 1: In the town of Westerly, all ratable real estate and tangible personal property;

in the town of Smithfield, all ratable real estate.

     (2) Class 2: In the town of Westerly, all motor vehicles and trailers subject to the excise

tax created by chapter 34 of this title; in the town of Smithfield, all tangible personal property as

well as all motor vehicles and trailers subject to the excise tax created by chapter 34 of this title.

     44-5-20.07. Westerly and Smithfield -- Property tax classification -- Duties of assessor

Westerly -- Property tax classification -- Duties of assessor.

     (a) The assessor of the town of Westerly or of the town of Smithfield on or before June 15

of each year, shall make a full and fair cash valuation of all the estate, real and personal, and motor

vehicles subject to taxation, and determine the assessed valuation of each property class.

     (b) The assessor shall apply different rates of taxation against Class 1 and Class 2 property

to determine the tax due and payable on the property; provided, that the rate for each class is

uniform.

     44-5-20.08. Westerly and Smithfield -- Property tax classification -- Tax levy

determination Westerly -- Property tax classification -- Tax levy determination.

     The assessor of the town of Westerly or of the town of Smithfield shall provide to the town

council of Westerly or of Smithfield, as the case may be, a list containing the full and fair cash

valuation of each property class, and with the approval of the town of Westerly or of the town of

Smithfield town council, annually determine the percentages of the tax levy to be apportioned each

class of property and shall annually apply tax rates sufficient to produce the proportion of the total

tax levy.

     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 remove the town of Smithfield from the provisions of §§ 44-5-20.05, 44-5-

20.06, 44-5-20.07, and 44-5-20.08, in regard to property tax classification and tax levy

determinations.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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