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House taxation panel tables bill that would let counties employ property appraisers
Summary
The House Taxation Committee tabled House Bill 644, which would have allowed county governments to employ property appraisers for property tax purposes, after opponents urged a different solution and committee members voted 21-0 to table the measure.
The House Taxation Committee on Tuesday tabled House Bill 644, a bill introduced by Representative Tracy Sharp that would have allowed a county to employ a property appraiser for property tax purposes. The committee tabled the bill in executive action by voice vote, recorded as 21-0 in favor of tabling.
The bill, Rep. Tracy Sharp (R), who told the committee she brought the measure “at the request of our commissioners,” was presented as an attempt to enable county commissioners to complete property assessments more quickly than the current Department of Revenue (DOR) process allows. Sharp opened the hearing saying she had worked with DOR but “we were unable to come to an accommodation,” and said she would ask the committee to table the bill.
Opponents in the hearing included Jason Riddle, speaking for the Montana Association of Counties, and Richland County Commissioner Shane Gorder. Jason Riddle said the association is reluctant to oppose a member-driven idea but warned of consequences if new taxable properties are not assessed. “When we don't get the newly taxable properties assessed, it hurts all the taxpayers,” Riddle said. Shane Gorder echoed those concerns and identified the Montana Association of Counties as opposing the measure.
No proponents testified in person at the hearing. Rep. Sharp closed the hearing and requested the bill be set out for executive action; the committee subsequently voted to table HB 644 during the executive session.
The transcript records the tabling motion at executive action followed by a voice vote; proxies for Representatives Fitzpatrick and Lear were recorded as voting in favor of tabling.
Ending: With the tabling vote the committee left open the option to revisit the issue later; the record shows committee members and county association representatives urging a policy solution through resources for DOR rather than transferring assessment duties to counties.
