HB4701 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB094 18035 BDD 53340 b

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
HB4701

Introduced 1/12/2006, by Rep. Roger L. Eddy - David Reis

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

35 ILCS 200/10-148 new
35 ILCS 200/10-149 new

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that if, during the 2005 taxable year, any parcel of wooded land was valued based upon its productivity index equalized assessed value as cropland, then that property must be considered, for assessment purposes, to be "other farmland" for the 2006 and 2007 taxable years. Defines "wooded land". Creates the Wooded Land Assessment Task Force within the Department of Revenue to make findings and recommendations concerning the assessment of wooded land and property under forestry management programs. Sets forth procedures for the operation of the task force. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning revenue.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Property Tax Code is amended by adding Sections 10-148 and 10-149 as follows:

(35 ILCS 200/10-148 new)

Sec. 10-148. Assessment of wooded land.

(a) If, during the 2005 taxable year, any parcel of wooded land was valued based upon its productivity index equalized assessed value as cropland, then that property must be considered, for assessment purposes, to be "other farmland", under Section 10-125, for the 2006 and 2007 taxable years.

(b) For the purpose of this Section, "wooded land" means any parcel of unimproved real property that: (1) does not qualify as cropland, permanent pasture, other farmland, or wasteland under Section 10-125; and (2) is not managed under a forestry management plan and considered to be other farmland under Section 10-150.

(35 ILCS 200/10-149 new)

Sec. 10-149. Wooded Land Assessment Task Force.

(a) The Wooded Land Assessment Task Force is created within the Department concerning the assessment of wooded land and property under forestry management programs.

(b) The Task Force shall consist of 13 voting members as follows:

(1) 4 members of the General Assembly appointed, one each, by the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(2) 5 members of the public, one from each judicial district of the State, appointed by the Illinois County Assessors Association;

(3) the Director of Revenue or his or her designee;

(4) the Director of Natural Resources or his or her designee, who shall serve as chair of the Task Force;

(5) one member of the public appointed by the Illinois Farm Bureau; and

(6) one member of the public appointed by the Illinois Wood Products Association.

If a vacancy occurs in the task-force membership, then the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the initial appointment.

(c) The task force may begin to conduct business upon the appointment of a majority of the voting members. The task force may adopt bylaws; it must meet at least once each month; and it may establish committees and officers as it deems necessary. For purposes of task force meetings, a quorum is 7 members.

Meetings of the task force are subject to the Open Meetings Act. The task force must afford an opportunity for public comment at each of its meetings.

The Department shall provide staff and administrative support services to the task force.

(d) Task force members shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for their reasonable travel expenses from funds available for that purpose.

(e) The task force shall gather information and make recommendations to the Governor and to the General Assembly regarding procedures and policies for:

(1) the assessment of wooded land, as defined in Section 10-148; and

(2) the assessment of property under a certified forestry management program under Section 10-50.

(f) The task force must submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2006 concerning its finding and recommendations.

(g) The task force is dissolved on February 1, 2007.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.