House Revenue Committee hears update on HB 3518 funding for county assessment and taxation

The House Committee on Revenue met June 26 for an informational briefing on House Bill 3518, which would change funding and administration of county assessment and taxation (CAFA). Committee members invited county and local government representatives to provide a status update; no vote or formal action was taken.

The bill would alter how CAFA funds—currently redistributed to counties from a portion of certain recording fees and interest on delinquent property taxes—are distributed and administered. Stakeholders and legislative staff described a proposal that includes clearer intent language for investment of additional CAFA funds, new metrics and reporting, and a temporary 0.3% holdback that would be reevaluated for adequacy in a later report back if the bill or a similar measure advances.

"Modernizing CAFA and sufficiently funding county A and T across the state remains to be the number 1 revenue priority for the Association of Oregon Counties," said Justin Lowe, representing the Association of Oregon Counties. Lowe and other county representatives emphasized that adequately funded assessor and taxation offices are needed to catch up on omitted property, maintain healthy reappraisal cycles and support…