00 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 347(CRA)
01 "An Act relating to assessment of property, boards of equalization, and certification of
02 assessors; and providing for an effective date."
03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
04 * Section 1. AS 29.45.110(a) is amended to read:
05 (a) The assessor shall assess property at its full and true value as of January 1
06 of the assessment year, except as provided in this section, AS 29.45.060, and
07 29.45.230. The full and true value is the estimated price that the property would bring
08 in an open market and under the then prevailing market conditions in a sale between a
09 willing seller and a willing buyer both conversant with the property and with
10 prevailing general price levels. The assessor shall determine the full and true value
11 as provided in standards adopted by the department under (e) of this section or
12 another set of standards provided by ordinance.
13 * Sec. 2. AS 29.45.110 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
14 (e) The department shall adopt standards for assessing the full and true value
01 of property under (a) of this section that are not inconsistent with standards adopted by
02 the International Association of Assessing Officers and update the standards when
03 necessary.
04 * Sec. 3. AS 29.45 is amended by adding a new section to read:
05 Sec. 29.45.115. Assessor certification. A municipality may not employ an
06 assessor, including a private contractor, unless the assessor has a level 3 certification
07 from the Alaska Association of Assessing Officers or works under the supervision of
08 an individual with a level 3 certification from the Alaska Association of Assessing
09 Officers.
10 * Sec. 4. AS 29.45.180(a) is amended to read:
11 (a) A person receiving an assessment notice shall advise the assessor of errors
12 or omissions in the assessment of the person's property. If requested by the person,
13 the assessor shall meet with the person and answer reasonable questions relating
14 to the methods used to assess the person's property. The assessor may correct
15 errors or omissions in the roll before the board of equalization hearing.
16 * Sec. 5. AS 29.45.200(a) is amended to read:
17 (a) The governing body shall appoint one or more boards [SITS AS A
18 BOARD] of equalization for the purpose of hearing an appeal from a determination of
19 the assessor [, OR IT MAY DELEGATE THIS AUTHORITY TO ONE OR MORE
20 BOARDS APPOINTED BY IT]. An appointed board shall [MAY] be composed of
21 not less than three persons, who shall be members of the governing body, municipal
22 residents, or a combination of members of the governing body and residents. The
23 governing body shall by ordinance establish the qualifications for membership. The
24 governing body may by ordinance appoint itself to sit as a board of equalization.
25 * Sec. 6. AS 29.45.210(b) is amended to read:
26 (b) The appellant bears the burden of proof. The only grounds for adjustment
27 of assessment are proof of unequal, excessive, improper, or under valuation based on
28 facts that are stated in a valid written appeal or proven at the appeal hearing. The [IF
29 A VALUATION IS FOUND TO BE TOO LOW, THE] board of equalization may not
30 raise the assessment in the current year unless requested to do so by the appellant.
31 If the appellant provides a long form fee appraisal to support the appellant's
01 valuation and the board of equalization does not find in favor of the appellant,
02 the board shall make specific findings on the record to support its decision.
03 * Sec. 7. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to
04 read:
05 TRANSITION: REGULATIONS. The Department of Commerce, Community, and
06 Economic Development may adopt regulations necessary to implement the changes made by
07 this Act. The regulations take effect under AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act), but not
08 before the effective date of the law implemented by the regulation.
09 * Sec. 8. Section 7 of this Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).
10 * Sec. 9. Except as provided in sec. 8 of this Act, this Act takes effect January 1, 2025.