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H.B. 129 Enrolled
AN ACT RELATING TO REVENUE AND TAXATION; PROVIDING FOR THE
TREATMENT OF OBJECTIONS TO COMMISSION ASSESSMENTS BY PROPERTY
OWNERS OR COUNTIES; PROVIDING PROCEDURES FOR COUNTIES TO HOLD
DISPUTED AMOUNTS IN ESCROW, INVEST THE DISPUTED AMOUNTS, AND
DISTRIBUTE THE AMOUNTS AFTER A FINAL DECISION; PROVIDING FOR THE
TREATMENT OF AMOUNTS RELEASED FROM ESCROW AS PROPERTY TAX
REVENUES; PROVIDING PROCEDURES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS TO PAY
DISPUTED AMOUNTS; PROVIDING PROCEDURES FOR ADJUDICATING
DISPUTES; PROVIDING FOR A DE NOVO APPEAL TO THE DISTRICT COURT;
MODIFYING CERTAIN PROPERTY TAX NOTICES AND STATEMENTS;
EXEMPTING CERTAIN JUDGMENT LEVIES FROM THE TRUTH IN TAXATION
NOTICE AND HEARING REQUIREMENTS; LIMITING CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS
TO ASSESSMENT ROLLS; REPEALING OBSOLETE LANGUAGE; MAKING
TECHNICAL CHANGES; AND PROVIDING FOR RETROSPECTIVE OPERATION.
This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
AMENDS:
53A-19-105, as last amended by Chapter 79, Laws of Utah 1996
59-1-601, as last amended by Chapter 248, Laws of Utah 1993
59-2-802, as last amended by Chapter 3, Laws of Utah 1988
59-2-803, as last amended by Chapter 3, Laws of Utah 1988
59-2-913, as last amended by Chapter 35, Laws of Utah 1992
59-2-921, as last amended by Chapter 3, Laws of Utah 1988
59-2-924, as last amended by Chapters 286, 321, and 326, Laws of Utah 1996
59-2-1007, as last amended by Chapter 348, Laws of Utah 1995
59-2-1317, as last amended by Chapters 181 and 278, Laws of Utah 1995
59-2-1328, as last amended by Chapter 41, Laws of Utah 1990
59-2-1330, as last amended by Chapters 41 and 188, Laws of Utah 1990
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 53A-19-105 is amended to read:
53A-19-105. School district interfund transfers.
(1) A school district shall spend revenues only within the fund for which they were
originally authorized, levied, collected, or appropriated.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, school district interfund transfers of residual
equity are prohibited.
(3) The State Board of Education may authorize school district interfund transfers of residual
equity when a district states its intent to create a new fund or expand, contract, or liquidate an
existing fund.
(4) The State Board of Education may also authorize school district interfund transfers of
residual equity for a financially distressed district if the board determines the following:
(a) the district has a significant deficit in its maintenance and operations fund caused by
circumstances not subject to the administrative decisions of the district;
(b) the deficit cannot be reasonably reduced under Section 53A-19-104; and
(c) without the transfer, the school district will not be capable of meeting statewide
educational standards adopted by the State Board of Education.
(5) The board shall develop standards for defining and aiding financially distressed school
districts under this section in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative
Rulemaking Act.
(6) (a) All debt service levies not subject to certified tax rate hearings shall be recorded and
reported in the debt service fund.
(b) Debt service levies under Subsection 59-2-924(2)(a)(iv)(C) that are [
subject to the certified tax rate hearing requirements [
Sections 59-2-918 and 59-2-919 may not be used for any purpose other than retiring general
obligation debt.
(c) Amounts from these levies remaining in the debt service fund at the end of a fiscal year
shall be used in subsequent years for general obligation debt retirement.
(d) Any amounts left in the debt service fund after all general obligation debt has been
retired may be transferred to the capital projects fund upon completion of the budgetary hearing
process required under Section 53A-19-102.
Section 2. Section 59-1-601 is amended to read:
59-1-601. District court jurisdiction.
(1) In addition to the jurisdiction granted in Section 63-46b-15, beginning July 1, 1994, the
district court shall have jurisdiction to review by trial de novo all decisions issued by the commission
after that date resulting from formal adjudicative proceedings.
(2) As used in this section, "trial de novo" means an original, independent proceeding, and
does not mean a trial de novo on the record.
(3) (a) In any appeal [
pursuant to this section taken after January 1, 1997, the commission shall certify a record of its
proceedings to the district court [
(b) This Subsection (3) supercedes Section 63-46b-16 pertaining to judicial review of formal
adjudicative proceedings.
Section 3. Section 59-2-802 is amended to read:
59-2-802. Statement of commission transmitted to county auditors -- Contents of
statement -- Duties of auditors -- Change of assessment prohibited.
(1) The commission shall, before June [
county to which an apportionment has been made a statement showing:
(a) the property assessed [
(b) the value of the property, as fixed and apportioned to the tax areas; and
(c) the aggregate amount of taxable value placed in dispute by property owners within the
county pursuant to Section 59-2-1007.
(2) The county auditor shall enter the:
(a) statement on the county assessment roll or book [
(b) amount of the assessment apportioned to the county in the column of the assessment
book or roll which shows for the county the total taxable value of all property [
(3) A county board of equalization may not change any assessment fixed by the commission.
Section 4. Section 59-2-803 is amended to read:
59-2-803. Statement transmitted by county auditors to governing bodies -- Contents
of statement.
(1) The county auditor shall transmit to the governing bodies of taxing entities in which the
property is located, or to which any of the value is apportioned, a statement of the valuation of all
property as fixed and apportioned by the commission and reported under Section 59-2-802.
(2) The statement under Subsection (1) shall contain the aggregate amount of taxable value
placed in dispute by property owners within the county pursuant to Section 59-2-1007.
(3) The statement shall be transmitted at the same time and in the same manner as the
statement is transmitted under Section 59-2-924.
Section 5. Section 59-2-913 is amended to read:
59-2-913. Statement of amount and purpose of levy -- Contents of statement -- Filing
with county auditor -- Transmittal to commission -- Determination of tax basis -- Limits on
adjustments -- Format of statement.
(1) (a) The governing body of each taxing entity shall file a statement as provided in this
section with the county auditor of the county in which the taxing entity is located.
(b) The auditor shall annually transmit the statement to the commission:
(i) before June 22 [
(ii) with the approval of the commission, on a subsequent date prior to the date established
under Section 59-2-1317 for [
(c) The statement shall contain the amount and purpose of each levy fixed by the governing
body of the taxing entity.
(2) [
the levy set for each of a taxing entity's applicable [
(i) divide the budgeted property tax revenues, specified in a budget which has been [
adopted and approved prior to [
(A) the aggregate taxable value of all property taxed[
(B) the taxing entity's estimated equalization adjustments in the current [
(ii) multiply the amount under Subsection (2)(a)(i) by the percentage of property taxes
collected for the previous five fiscal years. [
(b) For purposes of Subsection (2)(a)(i)(A), the aggregate taxable value of all property taxed
includes:
[
minus
(ii) the aggregate amount of value placed in dispute by property owners within the taxing
entity pursuant to Section 59-2-1007; and
[
assessor to be subject to taxation in the current [
(3) The aggregate annual amount of all adjustments to an assessment roll under Subsection
(2)(b) for a county or school district is limited to the greater of:
(a) 10% of the total value of the real and personal property for the county or school district
contained on the assessment roll; or
(b) 50% of the aggregate amount of value placed in dispute by property owners within the
county or school district pursuant to Section 59-2-1007.
(4) An adjustment to a levy under Subsection (2)(b) is subject to the provisions of
Subsection 59-2-914(3).
[
(a) be determined by the commission; and [
(b) cite any applicable statutory provisions [
(i) require a specific levy[
(ii) limit the property tax levy for any taxing entity.
(6) The commission may require certification that the information submitted on [
statement under this section is true and correct.
Section 6. Section 59-2-921 is amended to read:
59-2-921. Changes in assessment roll -- Rate adjustments -- Notice -- Amounts released
from escrow -- Inclusion as property tax revenues -- Carry forward provisions.
[
involving the original jurisdiction of the commission or an appeal from the county board of
equalization, the commission, shall annually notify each taxing entity of [
the county board of equalization[
(a) a change in the taxing entity's assessment roll; and
(b) a change in the taxing entity's adopted tax rate.
(2) A taxing entity is not required to comply with the public hearing and advertisement
requirements of Sections 59-2-918 and 59-2-919 if the commission, the county board of
equalization, or a court of competent jurisdiction:
(a) changes a taxing entity's adopted tax rate; or
(b) (i) makes a reduction in the taxing entity's assessment roll; and
(ii) the taxing entity adopts by resolution an increase in its tax rate above the certified tax
rate as a result of the reduction under Subsection (2)(b)(i).
(3) (a) Subject to the provisions of Subsection (3)(b) and except as provided in Subsection
(4), if an appeal under Section 59-2-1007 is resolved on or before September 15, property taxes and
accrued interest released from escrow after the appeal is resolved shall, for purposes of:
(i) making a certified tax rate adjustment under this section, be included by the taxing entity
as property tax revenues for the current year; or
(ii) authorizing the following levies, be included by the state as property tax revenues for
the current year:
(A) Section 53A-17a-135;
(B) Section 59-2-906.1; and
(C) Section 59-2-901.
(b) If, after including property taxes and accrued interest released from escrow as property
tax revenues:
(i) under Subsection (3)(a)(i), the property taxes and accrued interest exceed the amount of
revenues levied by the taxing entity for the current year, for purposes of establishing its certified tax
rate in subsequent years, the taxing entity shall carry forward as property tax revenues the excess
property taxes and accrued interest until the entire amount of remaining property taxes and accrued
interest have been carried forward as property tax revenues; or
(ii) under Subsection (3)(a)(ii), the property taxes and accrued interest exceed the amount of
revenues authorized to fund the levies described in Subsections (3)(a)(ii)(A) through (C) for the
current year, for purposes of authorizing the levies described in Subsections (3)(a)(ii)(A) through
(C) in subsequent years, the state shall carry forward as property tax revenues the excess property
taxes and accrued interest until the entire amount of remaining property taxes and accrued interest
have been carried forward as property tax revenues.
(4) If an appeal under Section 59-2-1007 is resolved after September 15, property taxes and
accrued interest released from escrow after the appeal is resolved shall be included by the taxing
entity or the state as property tax revenues as provided in Subsection (3)(a) and subject to the carry
forward provisions of Subsection (3)(b) for the next fiscal year beginning after September 15.
(5) A rate adjustment under this section for:
(a) a taxing entity shall be:
(i) made by the county auditor;
(ii) aggregated;
(iii) reported by the county auditor to the commission; and
(iv) certified by the commission; and
(b) the state shall be made by the commission.
Section 7. Section 59-2-924 is amended to read:
59-2-924. Report of valuation of property to county auditor and tax commission --
Transmittal by auditor to governing bodies -- Certified tax rate -- Adoption of tentative
budget.
(1) (a) Before June 1 of each year, the county assessor of each county shall deliver to the
county auditor and the commission the following statements:
(i) a statement [
taxing entity[
(ii) a statement [
estimated by the county assessor to be subject to taxation in the current [
(b) The county auditor shall, on or before June 8, transmit [
(i) the statements described in Subsections (1)(a)(i) and (ii);
(ii) an estimate of the revenue from personal property;
(iii) the certified tax rate[
(iv) all forms necessary to submit a tax levy request[
(2) (a) (i) The "certified tax rate" means a tax rate that will provide the same ad valorem
property tax [
entity for the prior year [
(ii) (A) For purposes of this Subsection (2), "ad valorem property tax revenues" include an
amount of property taxes or accrued interest released from escrow as provided in Subsection
59-2-921(3) or (4).
(B) For purposes of this Subsection (2), "ad valorem property tax revenues" do not include:
(I) collections from redemptions[
(II) interest[
(III) penalties. [
(iii) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(a)(iv), the certified tax rate shall be calculated by
dividing the ad valorem property tax revenues collected for the prior year by [
[
accordance with Section 59-2-913 [
(iv) The certified tax rates for the taxing entities described in this Subsection (2)(a)(iv) shall
be calculated as follows:
[
certified tax rate is zero;
[
is:
[
services under Sections 17-34-1 and 17-36-9; and
[
purposes and such other levies imposed solely for the municipal-type services identified in Section
17-34-2 and Subsection 17-36-3(24);
[
levy imposed by that section[
shall be calculated in accordance with Section 59-2-913 and this section:
[
[
53A-17a-127, 53A-17a-134, 53A-17a-143, 53A-17a-145, and 53A-21-103; and
[
orders under Section 59-2-906.3[
[
(b) (i) For the purpose of calculating the certified tax rate, the county auditor shall use the
taxable value of property on the assessment roll[
(ii) For purposes for Subsection (2)(b)(i), the taxable value of property on the assessment
roll does not include new growth as defined in Subsection (2)(b)(iii).
(iii) New growth [
(A) the difference between the increase in taxable value of the taxing entity from the
previous calendar year to the current year [
(B) the amount of increase to locally assessed real property taxable values resulting from
factoring, reappraisal, or any other adjustments.
[
(3) (a) [
tentative budget.
(b) If the taxing entity intends to exceed the certified tax rate, it shall notify the county
auditor of:
(i) its intent to exceed the certified tax rate; and
(ii) the amount by which it proposes to exceed the certified tax rate.
[
certified tax rate in accordance with Subsection 59-2-919(2).
[
[
[
[
[
[
Section 8. Section 59-2-1007 is amended to read:
59-2-1007. Time for application to correct assessment -- Contents of application --
Amending an application -- Hearings -- Appeals.
(1) (a) If the owner of any property assessed by the commission, or any county [
a showing of reasonable cause, objects to the assessment, either party may, on or before June 1,
apply to the commission for a hearing.
(b) Both [
shall be allowed to be a party at any hearing under this section.
(2) The owner or county shall include in the application under Subsection (1)(a):
(a) a written statement setting forth the known facts and legal basis supporting a different
fair market value than the value assessed by the commission; and
(b) the owner's or county's estimate of the fair market value of the property.
(3) (a) An owner's or a county's estimate on an application under Subsection (2) of the fair
market value of the property may be amended prior to the hearing as provided by rule.
(b) In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
commission may make rules governing the procedures for amending an estimate of fair market value
under Subsection (3)(a).
(4) (a) On or before August 1, the commission shall conduct a scheduling conference with
all parties to a hearing under this section.
(b) At the scheduling conference under Subsection (4)(a), the commission shall establish
dates for:
(i) the completion of discovery;
(ii) the filing of prehearing motions; and
(iii) conducting a hearing on the protest.
[
decision no later than [
(i) the hearing is completed; and
(ii) all posthearing briefs are submitted.
(b) Any applications not resolved by the commission within a two-year period from the date
of filing are considered to be denied, unless the parties stipulate to a different time period for
resolving an application.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 63-46b-14, a party may appeal to the district court for de novo
proceedings pursuant to Section 59-1-601 within 30 days from the day on which an application is
considered to be denied.
(6) At the hearing on the application, the commission may increase, lower, or sustain the
assessment if:
(a) the commission finds an error in the assessment; or
(b) it is necessary to equalize the assessment with other similarly assessed property.
[
mail[
(A) the commission proposes to adjust [
(B) the county's tax revenues may be affected by the commission's decision [
(C) the county has not already been made a party pursuant to Subsection (1).
(ii) The notice sent by the commission under Subsection (7)(a)(i) shall request the county
to show good cause why the commission should not adjust the assessment by providing a written
statement:
(A) setting forth the known facts and legal basis[
(B) within 30 days from the postmarked date of the notice[
(b) If a county files a response to the commission's request, the commission shall:
(i) hold a hearing or take [
consider the good cause alleged by the county; and [
(ii) issue a written decision increasing, lowering, or sustaining the assessment [
(c) If a county does not file a response to the request issued by the commission within 30
days, the commission shall adjust the assessment and send a copy of its written decision [
[
outlined in Subsection (1).
Section 9. Section 59-2-1317 is amended to read:
59-2-1317. Index of property owners -- Tax notice -- Contents of notice.
(1) (a) Upon receipt of the assessment roll, the county treasurer shall index the names of all
property owners shown by the assessment roll.
(b) The commission shall prescribe a form of index which shall be uniform in all the
counties throughout the state.
(2) [
(a) collect the taxes; and
(b) furnish to each taxpayer, except those taxpayers under Sections 59-2-1302 and
59-2-1307, by mail, postage prepaid, or leave at the taxpayer's residence or usual place of business,
if known, a notice [
(i) the kind and value of property assessed to the taxpayer, including the amount of value
placed in dispute by the property owner pursuant to Section 59-2-1007;
(ii) the street address of the property, [
(iii) [
Section 59-2-303.1;
(iv) the amount of [
amount of value placed in dispute by the property owner pursuant to Section 59-2-1007; and
[
[
[
city, town, school, and other purposes.
[
[
(3) For any property [
delinquent, the treasurer shall stamp on the notice "Prior taxes are delinquent on this parcel."
(4) The notice shall [
(a) separately state all taxes levied only on a certain kind or class of property for a special
purpose [
(b) have printed or stamped on it the effective rate of taxation for each purpose for which
taxes have been levied[
(c) state when and where the taxes are payable[
(d) state the date on which the taxes will be delinquent[
(e) state the penalty provided by law.
[
(b) The notice shall be in duplicate form and the county treasurer [
mail out a tax receipt acknowledging payment.
[
treasurer shall make available the assessment roll, map books, and statements to the clerk of the
county board of equalization.
Section 10. Section 59-2-1328 is amended to read:
59-2-1328. Payment under protest -- Judgment for recovery -- Payment -- Tax levy.
(1) (a) If it is determined in any action that a tax, or any portion of the tax, paid under
protest, was unlawfully collected, a judgment for recovery of the tax plus interest as provided by law,
together with costs of action, shall be entered in favor of the taxpayer.
(b) Upon being presented a duly authenticated copy of the judgment, the proper officer or
officers of the state, county, or municipality whose officers collected or received the tax shall audit
and allow the judgment, and cause a warrant to be drawn for the amount recovered by the judgment.
(c) If the judgment is obtained against a county, and any portion of the taxes included in the
judgment are state, district, school, or other taxes levied by a taxing entity which have been or may
be paid over to the state or to any school district or other taxing entity by the county, the proper
officer or officers of the state, school district, or other taxing entity shall, upon demand by the
county, cause a warrant to be drawn upon the treasurer of the state, school district, or other taxing
entity in favor of the county for the amount of the taxes received, together with interest as provided
by law and an equitable portion of the costs of the action.
(2) (a) Each taxing entity may levy a tax to pay its share of the judgment under Subsection
(1).
(b) This levy is in addition to, and exempt from, the maximum levy established for the
taxing entity[
[
Section 11. Section 59-2-1330 is amended to read:
59-2-1330. Payment of property taxes -- Unlawful collection by county -- Liability of
state or taxing entity -- Treatment of disputed taxes.
(1) Unless otherwise specifically provided by statute, property taxes shall be paid directly
to the county assessor or the treasurer when due.
(2) If the commission or a court of competent jurisdiction orders a reduction in the amount
of any tax levied against any property for tax purposes, the taxpayer shall be reimbursed under
Subsection [
[
portion of property taxes is liable to a judgment debtor for the amount the state or the taxing entity
received plus interest as provided in Subsection (3)(b) if:
(i) the taxes are collected by the authorized officer of any county[
(ii) a taxpayer obtains a judgment or final order from the county board of equalization or
[
county establishing that the taxes have been unlawfully collected[
(iii) any portion of the taxes has been paid [
county or its authorized officer[
(b) Interest under Subsection (3)(a) shall accrue:
(i) at a rate equal to the rate earned by the county[
(ii) (A) on the amount of taxes received from the time [
entity received the taxes[
(B) for an equitable portion of the costs of action.
[
under Subsection [
(i) the judgment or final order is issued no later than 15 days prior to the date the levy is set
under Subsection 59-2-924(2)(a); and
(ii) the amount of the judgment levy is included on the notice under Section 59-2-919.
(b) The levy under Subsection (4)(a) is:
(i) in addition to, and exempt from, the maximum levy established for the taxing entity[
(ii) exempt from the requirements of Sections [
59-2-919 except for Subsection 59-2-919(4).
(5) (a) An owner of property assessed by the commission that has filed a valuation protest
pursuant to Section 59-2-1007 and has not received a final decision on that protest shall pay, on or
before the date of delinquency, the full amount of taxes due.
(b) The property owner shall designate with the payment under Subsection (5)(a):
(i) the amount of valuation in dispute; and
(ii) the amount of the taxes levied on the disputed value as shown on the tax notice under
Section 59-2-1317.
(c) Subject to the provisions of Subsection (4)(d), and except as provided in Subsection
(4)(e), the county treasurer shall hold in escrow the disputed taxes and invest them with the county's
other investment funds.
(d) Notwithstanding Subsection (4)(c), if the aggregate amount of all adjustments to the tax
rolls of any county or school district is limited in any year pursuant to Subsection 59-2-913(3), the
treasurer shall, on or before December 31 of that year, release from escrow to the affected county
or school district an amount equal to the difference between the:
(i) budgeted property tax revenues determined for purposes of Subsection 59-2-913(2); and
(ii) property tax revenues assessed on the aggregate amount of the taxable value contained
on the tax rolls not disputed by property owners within the county pursuant to Section 59-2-1007.
(e) By written agreement between the county treasurer and the property owner the property
owner's disputed taxes may be placed in another institution and invested in compliance with the
provisions of Title 51, Chapter 7, State Money Management Act.
(f) A property owner that pays the full amount of taxes due under Subsection (5)(a) is not
required to pay penalties or interest on a disputed tax unless:
(i) a final decision is entered establishing a value greater than the value stated on the
disclosure notice under Section 59-2-1317; and
(ii) the property owner fails to pay the additional tax liability within a 45-day period after
the county bills the property owner for the additional tax.
(g) The county treasurer shall refund all amounts due to a property owner within 45 days of
the issuance of a final unappealed decision.
Section 12. Retrospective operation.
This act has retrospective operation to January 1, 1997.
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