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S.B. 148 Enrolled
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.
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(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;
(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 .
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(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 .
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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 [
(ii) fails to file a signed statement as provided in Subsection 59-2-508 [
(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 [
(B) [
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:
(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
(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.
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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.
(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 [
(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:
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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
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 [
in:
(a) Subsection 59-2-919 (4)[
(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 [
(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.
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computing the difference for the rollback period described in Subsection [
(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 [
(ii) ends the day on which the county assessor mails the notice required by Subsection
[
[
(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[
(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.
[
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
(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) [
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 [
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(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
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 [
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
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).
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(ii) For purposes of Subsection (2)(c)(i), the rollback period is a time period that:
(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).
[
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.
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(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.
[
(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)[
(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.
[
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.
(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 [
recorder; [
(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
[
(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.
[
approved, the county may:
(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 [
or application for assessment under this part.
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection [
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 [
submitted by the date specified in the written request of the county assessor for the application or
signed statement.
[
same penalties as provided by law for perjury.
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lessees signing statements under Subsection [
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 [
any application or signed statement.
[
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
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
(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
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 [
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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