HB 347-PROPERTY ASSESSMENT  8:32:21 AM CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 347, "An Act relating to assessment of property, boards of equalization, and certification of assessors; and providing for an effective date." [Before the committee, adopted as the working document on 3/12/24, was the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 347, Version 33- LS1430\B, Dunmire, 3/8/24 ("Version B").] 8:32:40 AM REPRESENTATIVE JULIE COULOMBE, Alaska State Legislature, prime sponsor of CSHB 347, Version B, gave a brief overview of the proposed legislation. She said the bill would help communities by providing a path of transparency and fairness around property assessment. It would set standards for Alaskans to know the rules for assessing property values; change the default for those who hear tax appeals to an appointed board of equalization; stop a municipality from raising the assessed value during the appeal process; ensure assessors have the required experience and certifications; and require the Alaska State Board of Education to explain disagreements with any fee appraisals. Ultimately, she said the bill was an opportunity for taxpayers to have a "fair shake" in the tax assessment process. 8:33:53 AM CHAIR MCCORMICK opened public testimony on HB 347. 8:34:38 AM FRANK BERGSTROM, representing self, testified in support of HB 347. He opined that it's incumbent upon the government to provide documentation as to why it's taking the people's money. Further, a fee appraisal should be definitive, he said. 8:35:25 AM ROY JOSEPHSON, representing self, testified in support of HB 347. He shared a personal anecdote pertaining to property assessment in Haines. He stated that HB 347 would be a start in the right direction. 8:38:57 AM JENNIFER CANFIELD, representing self, testified in support of HB 347. She shared a personal anecdote pertaining to property assessment in Haines. She reiterated her support for HB 347 because it would prevent increases in assessments during an appeal and ensure due process. 8:41:24 AM RAY KREIG, representing self, testified in support of HB 347. He emphasized the importance of ensuring credibility in the assessment process and stated his strong support for the bill. 8:43:40 AM BLYTHE CARTER, representing self, testified in support of HB 347. She shared a personal anecdote pertaining to property assessment in Haines. She expressed her hope the standards and statutes establishing transparency, protection of individual rights to due process, and common decency in HB 347 would serve to prevent tragedies in the future. 8:46:25 AM JON FAULKNER, representing self, testified in support of HB 347. He opined that the bill may not go far enough in protecting the public from arbitrary and capricious actions. He shared a personal anecdote pertaining to property assessment in Kenai, asserting that the assessors failed to recognize economic obsolescence. 8:49:55 AM GREG ADLER, Goldstein Development Company, testified in support of HB 347. He stated that the bill is needed because the CBJ had not been following the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) guidelines. He opined that assessor reform is needed because property owners are being stonewalled, and due process is not provided. 8:52:57 AM LARRY NORENE, representing self, testified during the hearing on HB 347. He highlighted the language in Section 4 of the bill and suggested adding "the [board of equalization] shall provide due process to all parties." Specific to Section 5, he asserted that the language had been deliberately changed, making it more difficult [for the board] to understand the grounds for assessment adjustment. Furthermore, he opined that the process lacked oversight and said he supported the addition of "the board must accept an appraisal." 8:56:28 AM The committee took a brief at-ease at 8:56 a.m. 8:57:57 AM ED MARTIN, representing self, testified in opposition to HB 347. He discussed the calculation of mill rates and shared his belief that the Board of Equalization should be composed of all public [members] with the assessor present to answer questions. He shared a personal anecdote pertaining to property assessment and overvaluation. He urged the committee to hold the bill for further testimony. 9:01:03 AM SHERRY STRIZAK, representing self, testified in support of HB 347. She emphasized the need for standards that meet prevailing market conditions to allow buyers and sellers to know expected pricing levels. She added that assessor certification would provide assessors with the proper Level 3 certification in accordance with the Alaska Association of Assessing Officers (AAAO). Most importantly, board members would hear residents' concerns and ensure assessments are not over- or under-valued. She concluded that assessor reform is needed to protect residents from exorbitant assessment values. 9:02:49 AM KATIE BEGLY, representing self, testified in support of HB 347. She stated that the bill includes much needed protections and shared a personal anecdote pertaining to property assessment in Haines. She urged the committee to pass HB 347, which would protect her right to access her elected official and seek redress of injuries enacted by the processes of the local municipality. 9:05:10 AM MARK SMITH, representing self, testified in support of HB 347. He shared a personal anecdote pertaining to the property assessor in Haines. 9:07:51 AM MAYA MORIARITY, representing self, testified in support of HB 347. She shared a personal anecdote pertaining to property assessment in Seward. She agreed with a previous testifier's suggestion to make the verbiage regarding fair market value easier to understand and apply. She advised that a local realtor's market value assessment, as well as the tax assessment of area homes, should be used as evidence for overvaluation. 9:11:15 AM CHAIR MCCORMICK closed public testimony on HB 347. 9:11:39 AM REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE noticed that Haines was heavily represented in the testimony, which she described as a "message of caution." She said she hoped that the committee could see that the bill would create guidelines and provide protections to taxpayers. 9:12:38 AM REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY asked whether a public member should be added to Section 4 of the bill. REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE said she always approached her bills as working documents and recognized that [the addition of a public member] could be an important addition. 9:13:08 AM The committee took a brief at-ease at 9:14 a.m. 9:14:20 AM CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that the proposed CS for HB 347, Version B, would be held over.