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S.B. 148 Enrolled

                 

PROPERTY TAX - FARMLAND ASSESSMENT

                 
ACT

                 
2003 GENERAL SESSION

                 
STATE OF UTAH

                 
Sponsor: Thomas V. Hatch

                  This act modifies the Farmland Assessment Act to define terms and to modify the
                  qualifications for agricultural use assessment. The act modifies information to be
                  contained on certain property tax notices. The act changes the time period for an owner
                  of land to notify the county assessor if land does not meet certain qualifications for
                  agricultural use assessment. The act modifies provisions relating to the imposition and
                  collection of the rollback tax, the conservation easement rollback tax, and one-time in lieu
                  fee payments. The act modifies provisions relating to the imposition of interest for
                  purposes of the rollback tax and the conservation easement rollback tax. The act allows
                  an owner of land to make an appeal to the county board of equalization under certain
                  circumstances. The act addresses the application requirements for agricultural use
                  assessment. The act addresses the creation and termination of a lien on certain property.
                  The act addresses when title may pass to a governmental entity acquiring land subject to
                  agricultural use assessment. The act makes technical changes. The act takes effect on
                  January 1, 2004.
                  This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
                  AMENDS:
                      59-2-502, as last amended by Chapter 141, Laws of Utah 2002
                      59-2-503, as last amended by Chapter 141, Laws of Utah 2002
                      59-2-504, as last amended by Chapter 141, Laws of Utah 2002
                      59-2-505, as last amended by Chapter 141, Laws of Utah 2002
                      59-2-506, as last amended by Chapter 141, Laws of Utah 2002
                      59-2-506.5, as enacted by Chapter 141, Laws of Utah 2002
                      59-2-508, as last amended by Chapter 141, Laws of Utah 2002
                      59-2-511, as last amended by Chapter 141, Laws of Utah 2002


                  Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
                      Section 1. Section 59-2-502 is amended to read:
                       59-2-502. Definitions.
                      As used in this part:
                      (1) "Actively devoted to agricultural use" means that the land in agricultural use
                  produces in excess of 50% of the average agricultural production per acre:
                      (a) as determined under Section 59-2-503 ; and
                      (b) for:
                      (i) the given type of land; and
                      (ii) the given county or area.
                      (2) "Conservation easement rollback tax" means the tax imposed under Section
                  59-2-506.5 .
                      (3) "Identical legal ownership" means legal ownership held by:
                      (a) identical legal parties; or
                      (b) identical legal entities.
                      [(3)] (4) "Land in agricultural use" means:
                      (a) land devoted to the raising of useful plants and animals with a reasonable expectation
                  of profit, including:
                      (i) forages and sod crops;
                      (ii) grains and feed crops;
                      (iii) livestock as defined in Section 59-2-102 ;
                      (iv) trees and fruits; or
                      (v) vegetables, nursery, floral, and ornamental stock; or
                      (b) land devoted to and meeting the requirements and qualifications for payments or
                  other compensation under a crop-land retirement program with an agency of the state or federal
                  government.
                      (5) "Other eligible acreage" means land that is:
                      (a) five or more contiguous acres;

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                      (b) eligible for assessment under this part; and
                      (c) (i) located in the same county as land described in Subsection 59-2-503 (1)(a); or
                      (ii) contiguous across county lines with land described in Subsection 59-2-503 (1)(a) as
                  provided in Section 59-2-512 .
                      [(4)] (6) "Platted" means land in which:
                      (a) parcels of ground are laid out and mapped by their boundaries, course, and extent;
                  and
                      (b) the plat has been approved as provided in Section 10-9-805 or 17-27-805 .
                      [(5)] (7) "Rollback tax" means the tax imposed under Section 59-2-506 .
                      [(6)] (8) "Withdrawn from this part" means that land that has been assessed under this
                  part is no longer assessed under this part or eligible for assessment under this part for any reason
                  including that:
                      (a) an owner voluntarily requests that the land be withdrawn from this part;
                      (b) the land is no longer actively devoted to agricultural use;
                      (c) (i) the land has a change in ownership; and
                      (ii) (A) the new owner fails to apply for assessment under this part as required by Section
                  59-2-509 ; or
                      (B) (I) an owner applies for assessment under this part as required by Section 59-2-509 ;
                  and
                      (II) the land does not meet the requirements of this part to be assessed under this part;
                      (d) (i) the legal description of the land changes; and
                      (ii) (A) an owner fails to apply for assessment under this part as required by Section
                  59-2-509 ; or
                      (B) (I) an owner applies for assessment under this part as required by Section 59-2-509 ;
                  and
                      (II) the land does not meet the requirements of this part to be assessed under this part;
                      (e) if required by the county assessor, the owner of the land:
                      (i) fails to file a new application as provided in Subsection 59-2-508 [(3)](4); or

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                      (ii) fails to file a signed statement as provided in Subsection 59-2-508 [(3)](4); or
                      (f) except as provided in Section 59-2-503 , the land fails to meet a requirement of
                  Section 59-2-503 .
                      Section 2. Section 59-2-503 is amended to read:
                       59-2-503. Qualifications for agricultural use assessment.
                      (1) For general property tax purposes, land may be assessed on the basis of the value that
                  the land has for agricultural use if the land:
                      (a) is not less than five contiguous acres in area, except that land may be assessed on the
                  basis of the value that the land has for agricultural use:
                      (i) if:
                      (A) the land is devoted to agricultural use in conjunction with other eligible acreage [in
                  the same county]; and
                      (B) [subject to Subsection (6),] the land and the other eligible acreage described in
                  Subsection (1)(a)(i)(A) have identical legal ownership; or
                      (ii) as provided under Subsection (4); and
                      (b) except as provided in Subsection (5):
                      (i) is actively devoted to agricultural use; and
                      (ii) has been actively devoted to agricultural use for at least two successive years
                  immediately preceding the tax year for which the land is being assessed under this part.
                      (2) In determining whether land is actively devoted to agricultural use, production per
                  acre for a given county or area and a given type of land shall be determined by using the first
                  applicable of the following:
                      (a) production levels reported in the current publication of the Utah Agricultural
                  Statistics;
                      (b) current crop budgets developed and published by Utah State University; and
                      (c) other acceptable standards of agricultural production designated by the commission
                  by rule adopted in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
                      (3) Land may be assessed on the basis of the land's agricultural value if the land:

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                      (a) is subject to the privilege tax imposed by Section 59-4-101 ;
                      (b) is owned by the state or any of the state's political subdivisions; and
                      (c) meets the requirements of Subsection (1).
                      (4) Notwithstanding Subsection (1)(a), the commission or a county board of equalization
                  may grant a waiver of the acreage limitation for land upon:
                      (a) appeal by the owner; and
                      (b) submission of proof that:
                      (i) 80% or more of the owner's, purchaser's, or lessee's income is derived from
                  agricultural products produced on the property in question; or
                      (ii) (A) the failure to meet the acreage requirement arose solely as a result of an
                  acquisition by a governmental entity by:
                      (I) eminent domain; or
                      (II) the threat or imminence of an eminent domain proceeding;
                      (B) the land is actively devoted to agricultural use; and
                      (C) no change occurs in the ownership of the land.
                      (5) (a) Notwithstanding Subsection (1)(b), the commission or a county board of
                  equalization may grant a waiver of the requirement that the land is actively devoted to
                  agricultural use for the tax year for which the land is being assessed under this part upon:
                      (i) appeal by the owner; and
                      (ii) submission of proof that:
                      (A) the land was assessed on the basis of agricultural use for at least two years
                  immediately preceding that tax year; and
                      (B) the failure to meet the agricultural production requirements for that tax year was due
                  to no fault or act of the owner, purchaser, or lessee.
                      (b) As used in Subsection (5)(a), "fault" does not include:
                      (i) intentional planting of crops or trees which, because of the maturation period, do not
                  give the owner, purchaser, or lessee a reasonable opportunity to satisfy the production levels
                  required for land actively devoted to agricultural use; or

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                      (ii) implementation of a bona fide range improvement program, crop rotation program, or
                  other similar accepted cultural practices which do not give the owner, purchaser, or lessee a
                  reasonable opportunity to satisfy the production levels required for land actively devoted to
                  agricultural use.
                      [(6) (a) For purposes of Subsection (1)(a)(i)(B), the land and the other eligible acreage
                  described in Subsection (1)(a)(i)(B) are considered to have identical legal ownership regardless
                  of whether the one or more persons that have a beneficial ownership in the land and the other
                  eligible acreage:]
                      [(i) own the land and the other eligible acreage; or]
                      [(ii) are beneficiaries of a trust if the land and the other eligible acreage are held in trust.]
                      [(b) In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
                  commission may by rule define what constitutes:]
                      [(i) a beneficial interest; and]
                      [(ii) consistent with Subsection (1) and this Subsection (6), identical legal ownership.]
                      Section 3. Section 59-2-504 is amended to read:
                       59-2-504. Exclusions from designation as agricultural use -- Exception.
                      (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), land may not be assessed under this part if the
                  land is:
                      (a) part of a platted subdivision or planned unit development, with restrictions
                  prohibiting its use for agricultural purposes with surface improvements in place, whether within
                  or without a city; or
                      (b) platted with surface improvements in place that are not an integral part of agricultural
                  use.
                      (2) (a) If land has been platted with surface improvements in place, the land has been
                  withdrawn from this part, and the owner is not able to transfer title to the platted property, or
                  continue development of the platted property due to economic circumstances, or some other
                  reasonable cause, the owner may petition the county assessor for reinstatement under this part for
                  assessment purposes as land in agricultural use without vacating the subdivision plat.

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                      (b) The county assessor may grant the petition for reinstatement described in Subsection
                  (2)(a) if the land is actively devoted to agricultural use.
                      (3) For purposes of this section[,]:
                      (a) "platted with surface improvements in place" means [any of the following surface
                  improvements are in place] that:
                      (i) land is platted; and
                      (ii) all surface improvements necessary for the land to be sold as a lot or a unit are in
                  place:
                      (A) regardless of whether or not it is the owner of the land who puts the surface
                  improvements in place; and
                      (B) as determined by the:
                      (I) county legislative body if the land is located in an unincorporated area of the county;
                      (II) city legislative body if the land is located in a city; or
                      (III) town legislative body if the land is located in a town; and
                      (b) "surface improvement" means:
                      [(a)] (i) a curb;
                      [(b)] (ii) a gutter; or
                      [(c)] (iii) pavement.
                      Section 4. Section 59-2-505 is amended to read:
                       59-2-505. Indicia of value for agricultural use assessment -- Inclusion of fair
                  market value on certain property tax notices.
                      (1) (a) The county assessor shall consider only those indicia of value that the land has for
                  agricultural use as determined by the commission when assessing land:
                      (i) that meets the requirements of Section 59-2-503 to be assessed under this part; and
                      (ii) for which the owner has:
                      (A) made a timely application in accordance with Section 59-2-508 for assessment under
                  this part for the tax year for which the land is being assessed; and
                      (B) obtained approval of the application described in Subsection (1)(a)(ii)(A) from the

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                  county assessor.
                      (b) If land that becomes subject to a conservation easement created in accordance with
                  Title 57, Chapter 18, Land Conservation Easement Act, meets the requirements of Subsection
                  (1)(a) for assessment under this part, the county assessor shall consider only those indicia of
                  value that the land has for agricultural use in accordance with Subsection (1)(a) when assessing
                  the land.
                      (2) In addition to the value determined in accordance with Subsection (1), the [assessor
                  shall include the] fair market value assessment shall be included on the [notice] notices described
                  in:
                      (a) Subsection 59-2-919 (4)[.]; and
                      (b) Section 59-2-1317 .
                      (3) The county board of equalization shall review the agricultural use value and fair
                  market value assessments each year as provided under Section 59-2-1001 .
                      Section 5. Section 59-2-506 is amended to read:
                       59-2-506. Rollback tax -- Penalty -- Computation of tax -- Procedure -- Lien --
                  Interest -- Notice -- Collection -- Distribution -- Appeal to county board of equalization.
                      (1) Except as provided in this section, Section 59-2-506.5 , or Section 59-2-511 , if land is
                  withdrawn from this part, the land is subject to a rollback tax imposed in accordance with this
                  section.
                      (2) (a) An owner shall notify the county assessor that land is withdrawn from this part
                  within [180] 120 days after the day on which the land is withdrawn from this part.
                      (b) An owner that fails to notify the county assessor under Subsection (2)(a) that land is
                  withdrawn from this part is subject to a penalty equal to the greater of:
                      (i) $10; or
                      (ii) 2% of the rollback tax due for the last year of the rollback period.
                      [(3) The rollback tax is:]
                      [(a) a lien on the land assessed under this part until paid; and]
                      [(b) due and payable on the day the county assessor mails the notice required by

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                  Subsection (6).]
                      [(4)] (3) (a) The county assessor shall determine the amount of the rollback tax by
                  computing the difference for the rollback period described in Subsection [(4)] (3)(b) between:
                      (i) the tax paid while the land was assessed under this part; and
                      (ii) the tax that would have been paid had the property not been assessed under this part.
                      (b) For purposes of this section, the rollback period is a time period that:
                      (i) begins on the later of:
                      (A) the date the land is first assessed under this part; or
                      (B) five years preceding the day on which the county assessor mails the notice required
                  by Subsection [(6)] (5); and
                      (ii) ends the day on which the county assessor mails the notice required by Subsection
                  [(6)] (5).
                      [(5)] (4) (a) The county treasurer shall:
                      (i) collect the rollback tax; and
                      (ii) after the rollback tax is paid, certify to the county recorder that the rollback tax lien
                  on the property has been satisfied[.] by:
                      (A) preparing a document that certifies that the rollback tax lien on the property has been
                  satisfied; and
                      (B) providing the document described in Subsection (4)(a)(ii)(A) to the county recorder
                  for recordation.
                      (b) The rollback tax collected under this section shall:
                      (i) be paid into the county treasury; and
                      (ii) be paid by the county treasurer to the various taxing entities pro rata in accordance
                  with the property tax levies for the current year.
                      [(6)] (5) (a) The county assessor shall mail to an owner of the land that is subject to a
                  rollback tax a notice that:
                      (i) the land is withdrawn from this part;
                      (ii) the land is subject to a rollback tax under this section; and

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                      (iii) the rollback tax is delinquent if the owner of the land does not pay the tax within 30
                  days after the day on which the county assessor mails the notice.
                      (b) (i) [The] The rollback tax is due and payable on the day the county assessor mails the
                  notice required by Subsection (5)(a).
                      (ii) Subject to Subsection (7), the rollback tax is delinquent if an owner of the land that is
                  withdrawn from this part does not pay the rollback tax within 30 days after the day on which the
                  county assessor mails the notice required by Subsection [(6)] (5)(a).
                      [(7) The following shall be governed by the procedures provided for the assessment and
                  taxation of real property not assessed under this part:]
                      [(a) except as provided in this section, the assessment of the rollback tax imposed by
                  Subsection (1);]
                      [(b) the attachment of the lien for the rollback tax; and]
                      [(c) the right of an owner or other interested party to review any judgment of the county
                  board of equalization affecting the rollback tax.]
                      (6) (a) Subject to Subsection (6)(b), the following are a lien on the land assessed under
                  this part:
                      (i) the rollback tax; and
                      (ii) interest imposed in accordance with Subsection (7).
                      (b) The lien described in Subsection (6)(a) shall:
                      (i) arise upon the imposition of the rollback tax under this section;
                      (ii) end on the day on which the rollback tax and interest imposed in accordance with
                  Subsection (7) are paid in full; and
                      (iii) relate back to the first day of the rollback period described in Subsection (3)(b).
                      (7) (a) A delinquent rollback tax under this section shall accrue interest:
                      (i) from the date of delinquency until paid; and
                      (ii) at the interest rate established under Section 59-2-1331 and in effect on January 1 of
                  the year in which the delinquency occurs.
                      (b) A rollback tax that is delinquent on September 1 of any year shall be included on the

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                  notice required by Section 59-2-1317 , along with interest calculated on that delinquent amount
                  through November 30 of the year in which the notice under Section 59-2-1317 is mailed.
                      (8) (a) Land that becomes ineligible for assessment under this part only as a result of an
                  amendment to this part is not subject to the rollback tax if the owner of the land notifies the
                  county assessor that the land is withdrawn from this part in accordance with Subsection (2).
                      (b) Land described in Subsection (8)(a) that is withdrawn from this part as a result of an
                  event other than an amendment to this part, whether voluntary or involuntary, is subject to the
                  rollback tax.
                      (9) Except as provided in Section 59-2-511 , land that becomes exempt from taxation
                  under Utah Constitution Article XIII, Section [2] 3, is not subject to the rollback tax if the land
                  meets the requirements of Section 59-2-503 to be assessed under this part.
                      (10) (a) Subject to Subsection (10)(b), an owner of land may appeal to the county board
                  of equalization:
                      (i) a decision by a county assessor to withdraw land from assessment under this part; or
                      (ii) the imposition of a rollback tax under this section.
                      (b) An owner shall file an appeal under Subsection (10)(a) no later than 45 days after the
                  day on which the county assessor mails the notice required by Subsection (5).
                      Section 6. Section 59-2-506.5 is amended to read:
                       59-2-506.5. Conservation easement rollback tax -- One-time in lieu fee payment --
                  Computation -- Lien -- Interest -- Notice -- Procedure -- Collection -- Distribution.
                      (1) (a) Notwithstanding Section 59-2-506 and subject to the requirements of this section,
                  land is not subject to the rollback tax under Section 59-2-506 , if:
                      (i) the land becomes subject to a conservation easement created in accordance with Title
                  57, Chapter 18, Land Conservation Easement Act;
                      (ii) the creation of the conservation easement described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) is
                  considered to be a qualified conservation contribution for federal purposes under Section 170(h),
                  Internal Revenue Code;
                      (iii) the land was assessed under this part in the tax year preceding the tax year that the

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                  land does not meet the requirements of Section 59-2-503 ;
                      (iv) after the creation of the conservation easement described in Subsection (1)(a)(i), the
                  land does not meet the requirements of Section 59-2-503 ; and
                      (v) an owner of the land notifies the county assessor as provided in Subsection (1)(b).
                      (b) An owner of land described in Subsection (1)(a) shall notify the county assessor that
                  the land meets the requirements of Subsection (1)(a) within 30 days after the day on which the
                  land does not meet the requirements of Section 59-2-503 .
                      (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (4), if a conservation easement is terminated in
                  accordance with Section 57-18-5 :
                      (i) the land described in Subsection (1) is subject to a conservation easement rollback tax
                  imposed in accordance with this section; or
                      (ii) if the land described in Subsection (1) is owned by a governmental entity as defined
                  in Section 59-2-511 , the land is subject to a one-time in lieu fee payment that is:
                      (A) in an amount equal to the conservation easement rollback tax imposed in accordance
                  with this section; and
                      (B) except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), paid, collected, and distributed in the same
                  manner as the conservation easement rollback tax imposed in accordance with this section.
                      (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(a)(ii)(B), a one-time in lieu fee payment under
                  Subsection (2)(a)(ii) is not a lien on the land described in Subsection (2)(a)(ii).
                      [(b)] (c) (i) The conservation easement rollback tax is an amount equal to [the product
                  of: (i)] 20 times the property tax imposed on the land for each year [during the time period that is
                  the shorter of:] for the rollback period described in Subsection (2)(c)(ii).
                      [(A) the time period during which the land is subject to a conservation easement
                  described in Subsection (1); or]
                      [(B) five years before the county assessor mails the notice required by Subsection (3)(b);
                  and]
                      [(ii) 20.]
                      (ii) For purposes of Subsection (2)(c)(i), the rollback period is a time period that:

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                      (A) begins on the later of:
                      (I) the date the land became subject to a conservation easement; or
                      (II) five years preceding the day on which the county assessor mails the notice required
                  by Subsection (3)(a); and
                      (B) ends the day on which the county assessor mails the notice required by Subsection
                  (3)(a).
                      [(c)] (d) An owner shall notify the county assessor that a conservation easement on land
                  described in Subsection (1) has been terminated in accordance with Section 57-18-5 within 180
                  days after the day on which the conservation easement is terminated.
                      [(3) (a) The conservation easement rollback tax under this section is:]
                      [(i) a lien on the land described in Subsection (1) until paid; and]
                      [(ii) due and payable on the day the county assessor mails the notice required by
                  Subsection (3)(b).]
                      [(b)] (3) (a) If land is subject to a conservation easement rollback tax under Subsection
                  (2), the county assessor shall mail to an owner of the land a notice that:
                      (i) the land is subject to a conservation easement rollback tax under this section; and
                      (ii) the conservation easement rollback tax is delinquent if the owner of the land does not
                  pay the tax within 30 days after the day on which the county assessor mails the notice.
                      [(c)] (b) The conservation easement rollback tax is:
                      (i) due and payable on the day the county assessor mails the notice required by
                  Subsection (3)(a);
                      (ii) delinquent if an owner of the land that is subject to the conservation easement
                  rollback tax does not pay the conservation easement rollback tax within 30 days after the day on
                  which the county assessor mails the notice required by Subsection (3)[(b).] (a); and
                      (iii) subject to the same:
                      (A) interest provisions of Subsection 59-2-506 (7) that apply to the rollback tax; and
                      (B) notice requirements of Subsection 59-2-506 (7) that apply to the rollback tax.
                      [(d) The] (c) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(c)(ii), the conservation easement

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                  rollback tax shall be paid, collected, subject to a lien, and distributed in a manner consistent with
                  this section and Section 59-2-506 .
                      (ii) Notwithstanding Subsection (3)(c)(i), a lien under Subsection (3)(c)(i) relates back to
                  the day on which the conservation easement was terminated.
                      (4) (a) Notwithstanding Subsection (2), land described in Subsection (2) is not subject to
                  the conservation easement rollback tax or the one-time in lieu fee payment required by
                  Subsection (2) if after the conservation easement is terminated in accordance with Section
                  57-18-5 :
                      (i) an owner of the land applies for assessment of the land as land in agricultural use
                  under this part within 30 days after the day on which the conservation easement is terminated;
                  and
                      (ii) the application for assessment of the land described in Subsection (4)(a)(i) is
                  approved within two years after the day on which the application was filed.
                      (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (4)(a), if the land described in Subsection (4)(a)(i) does
                  not receive approval for assessment as land in agricultural use under this part within two years
                  after the day on which the application was filed under Subsection (4)(a), an owner of the land
                  shall:
                      (i) within 30 days after the day on which the two-year period expires, notify the county
                  assessor that the two-year period expired; and
                      (ii) pay the conservation easement rollback tax or the one-time in lieu fee payment
                  required by Subsection (2) as provided in this section.
                      (5) Land subject to a conservation easement created in accordance with Title 57, Chapter
                  18, Land Conservation Easement Act, is not subject to a conservation easement rollback tax or a
                  one-time in lieu fee payment if the land is assessed under this part in accordance with Section
                  59-2-505 .
                      Section 7. Section 59-2-508 is amended to read:
                       59-2-508. Application -- Signed statement -- Consent to creation of a lien -- Consent
                  to audit and review -- Notice.

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                      (1) If an owner of land eligible for assessment under this part wants the land to be
                  assessed under this part, the owner shall submit an application to the county assessor of the
                  county in which the land is located.
                      (2) An application required by Subsection (1) shall:
                      (a) be on a form:
                      (i) approved by the commission; and
                      (ii) provided to an owner:
                      (A) by the county assessor; and
                      (B) at the request of an owner;
                      (b) provide for the reporting of information related to this part;
                      (c) be submitted by:
                      (i) May 1 of the tax year in which assessment under Subsection (1) is requested if the
                  land was not assessed under this part in the year before the application is submitted; or
                      (ii) by the date otherwise required by this part for land that prior to the application being
                  submitted has been assessed under this part;
                      (d) be signed by all of the owners of the land that under the application would be
                  assessed under this part;
                      (e) be accompanied by the prescribed fees made payable to the county [treasurer]
                  recorder; [and]
                      (f) include a certification by an owner that the facts set forth in the application or signed
                  statement are true;
                      (g) include a statement that the application constitutes consent by the owners of the land
                  to the creation of a lien upon the land as provided in this part; and
                      [(f)] (h) be recorded by the county recorder.
                      (3) The application required by Subsection (2) constitutes consent by the owners of the
                  land to the creation of a lien upon the land as provided in this part.
                      [(3)] (4) (a) Once the application for assessment described in Subsection (1) has been
                  approved, the county may:

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                      (i) require the owner to submit a new application or a signed statement:
                      (A) by written request of the county assessor; and
                      (B) that verifies that the land qualifies for assessment under this part; or
                      (ii) except as provided in Subsection [(3)] (4)(b), require no additional signed statement
                  or application for assessment under this part.
                      (b) Notwithstanding Subsection [(3)] (4)(a), a county shall require that an owner provide
                  notice if land is withdrawn from this part:
                      (i) as provided in Section 59-2-506 ; or
                      (ii) for land that is subject to a conservation easement created in accordance with Section
                  59-2-506.5 , as provided in Section 59-2-506.5 .
                      (c) An application or signed statement required under Subsection [(3)] (4)(a) shall be
                  submitted by the date specified in the written request of the county assessor for the application or
                  signed statement.
                      [(4)] (5) A certification [by an owner that the facts set forth in the application or signed
                  statement are true] under Subsection (2)(f) is considered as if made under oath and subject to the
                  same penalties as provided by law for perjury.
                      [(5)] (6) (a) All owners applying for participation under this part and all purchasers or
                  lessees signing statements under Subsection [(6)] (7) are considered to have given their consent
                  to field audit and review by:
                      (i) the commission;
                      (ii) the county assessor; or
                      (iii) the commission and the county assessor.
                      (b) The consent described in Subsection [(5)] (6)(a) is a condition to the acceptance of
                  any application or signed statement.
                      [(6)] (7) Any owner of land eligible for assessment under this part because a purchaser or
                  lessee actively devotes the land to agricultural use as required by Section 59-2-503 , may qualify
                  the land for assessment under this part by submitting with the application required under
                  Subsection (2), a signed statement from that purchaser or lessee certifying those facts that would

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                  be necessary to meet the requirements of Section 59-2-503 for assessment under this part.
                      Section 8. Section 59-2-511 is amended to read:
                       59-2-511. Acquisition of land by governmental entity -- Requirements -- Rollback
                  tax -- One-time in lieu fee payment -- Passage of title.
                      (1) For purposes of this section, "governmental entity" means:
                      (a) the United States;
                      (b) the state;
                      (c) a political subdivision of the state, including:
                      (i) a county;
                      (ii) a city;
                      (iii) a town;
                      (iv) a school district; or
                      (v) a special district; or
                      (d) an entity created by the state or the United States, including:
                      (i) an agency;
                      (ii) a board;
                      (iii) a bureau;
                      (iv) a commission;
                      (v) a committee;
                      (vi) a department;
                      (vii) a division;
                      (viii) an institution;
                      (ix) an instrumentality; or
                      (x) an office.
                      (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsections (3) and (4), land acquired by a governmental
                  entity is subject to the rollback tax imposed by this part if:
                      (i) prior to the governmental entity acquiring the land, the land is assessed under this
                  part; and

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                      (ii) after the governmental entity acquires the land, the land does not meet the
                  requirements of Section 59-2-503 for assessment under this part.
                      (b) A person dedicating a public right-of-way to a governmental entity shall pay the
                  rollback tax imposed by this part if:
                      (i) a portion of the public right-of-way is located within a subdivision as defined in
                  Section 10-9-103 ; or
                      (ii) in exchange for the dedication, the person dedicating the public right-of-way
                  receives:
                      (A) money; or
                      (B) other consideration.
                      (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (4), land acquired by a governmental entity is
                  not subject to the rollback tax imposed by this part, but is subject to a one-time in lieu fee
                  payment as provided in Subsection (3)(b), if:
                      (i) the governmental entity acquires the land by eminent domain;
                      (ii) (A) the land is under the threat or imminence of eminent domain proceedings; and
                      (B) the governmental entity provides written notice of the proceedings to the owner; or
                      (iii) the land is donated to the governmental entity.
                      (b) (i) If a governmental entity acquires land under Subsection (3)(a)(iii), the
                  governmental entity shall make a one-time in lieu fee payment:
                      (A) to the county treasurer of the county in which the land is located; and
                      (B) in an amount equal to the amount of rollback tax calculated under Section 59-2-506 .
                      (ii) If a governmental entity acquires land under Subsection (3)(a)(i) or (3)(a)(ii), the
                  governmental entity shall make a one-time in lieu fee payment:
                      (A) to the county treasurer of the county in which the land is located; and
                      (B) (I) if the land remaining after the acquisition by the governmental entity meets the
                  requirements of Section 59-2-503 , in an amount equal to the rollback tax under Section 59-2-506
                  on the land acquired by the governmental entity; or
                      (II) if the land remaining after the acquisition by the governmental entity is less than five

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                  acres, in an amount equal to the rollback tax under Section 59-2-506 on the land acquired by the
                  governmental entity and the land remaining after the acquisition by the governmental entity.
                      (iii) For purposes of Subsection (3)(b)(ii), "land remaining after the acquisition by the
                  governmental entity" includes other eligible acreage [described in Subsection 59-2-503 (1)(a)(i)]
                  that is used in conjunction with the land remaining after the acquisition by the governmental
                  entity.
                      (c) A county receiving an in lieu fee payment under Subsection (3)(b) shall distribute the
                  revenues generated by the payment:
                      (i) to the taxing entities in which the land is located; and
                      (ii) in the same proportion as the revenue from real property taxes is distributed.
                      (4) Except as provided in Section 59-2-506.5 , if land acquired by a governmental entity
                  is made subject to a conservation easement in accordance with Section 59-2-506.5 :
                      (a) the land is not subject to the rollback tax imposed by this part; and
                      (b) the governmental entity acquiring the land is not required to make an in lieu fee
                  payment under Subsection (3)(b).
                      (5) If a governmental entity acquires land subject to assessment under this part, title to
                  the land may not pass to the governmental entity until the following are paid to the county
                  treasurer:
                      (a) any tax due under this part;
                      (b) any one-time in lieu fee payment due under this part; and
                      (c) any interest due under this part.
                      Section 9. Effective date.
                      This act takes effect on January 1, 2004.

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