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Senate advances certification requirement for county assessors after heated debate
Summary
Senate Bill 30 would require elected county assessors to become state-registered within 18 months (72 hours of coursework). Supporters said the measure professionalizes assessors and protects uniform school levies; opponents warned it restricts rural voters' choices. The bill passed the Senate on Jan. 25, 1993 (22–4, 3 absent).
Senate Bill 30, a measure to require elected county assessors to complete state registration within 18 months of taking office, passed the Utah Senate on Jan. 25, 1993 after an extended floor debate.
Senator Lyle Hilliard described the bill as a recommendation of the Property Tax Task Force to improve assessment uniformity across the state and protect the uniform school levy. He explained that “by state registered, it means that they have to complete 72 hours of ... class work, to become that within the 18 month period,” and that the requirement is intended to professionalize the office and avoid ad hoc underassessment in any county that would shift tax burdens elsewhere.
Senator Mitrich (opponent) warned the requirement could limit rural counties’ ability to elect local officials who might not meet the new technical qualifications and argued it places increasing restrictions on who may run for local office. Supporters, including members of the task force and Senator Montgomery, responded that task-force review and near‑unanimous recommendation justified the change.
After debate the clerk announced SB 30 received 22 ayes, 4 nays, 3 absent; the bill was placed on the third‑reading calendar and recorded as advanced. No floor amendment was adopted at this sitting.
Ending: The Senate passed SB 30 to be placed on the third-reading calendar; the next step is final passage on third reading and transmittal to the House or further action as required.
