Property Tax Bill Fails (audio)

Air Date:03/11/2010

By Eryn Clement
 
Legislation that allows the Department of Revenue and Regulation to assess property taxes on agricultural land has been killed.
 
House bill 1202 has brought forward large debate by state assessors and land owners.  A law passed last year that changes the way property taxes are assessed on agricultural land. Instead of using market sale price it was changed to using an evaluation of land productivity. It was designed  as  an equitable way to tax agricultural land.  Lawmakers intended the change be limited to a ten percent increase a year.Many land owners say  property taxes have increased over seventy percent. Opponents argue that the productivity evaluation needs some adjustments. The measure went to a conference committee where it passed to move onto the House and then failed. 

Member stations can download the audio file here.
 
 

 

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