CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.



                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)

                            CHAMBER ACTION
              Senate                               House
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  4  ______________________________________________________________

  5                                           ORIGINAL STAMP BELOW

  6

  7

  8

  9

10  ______________________________________________________________

11  Representative(s) Wallace offered the following:

12

13         Amendment (with title amendment) 

14  Remove:  everything after the enacting clause,

15

16  and insert:

17         Section 1.  Section 192.0105, Florida Statutes, is

18  amended to read:

19         192.0105  Taxpayer rights.--There is created a Florida

20  Taxpayer's Bill of Rights for property taxes and assessments

21  to guarantee that the rights, privacy, and property of the

22  taxpayers of this state are adequately safeguarded and

23  protected during tax levy, assessment, collection, and

24  enforcement processes administered under the revenue laws of

25  this state. The Taxpayer's Bill of Rights compiles, in one

26  document, brief but comprehensive statements that summarize

27  the rights and obligations of the property appraisers, tax

28  collectors, clerks of the court, local governing boards, the

29  Department of Revenue, and taxpayers. Additional rights

30  afforded to payors of taxes and assessments imposed under the

31  revenue laws of this state are provided in s. 213.015. The

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  rights afforded taxpayers to assure that their privacy and

  2  property are safeguarded and protected during tax levy,

  3  assessment, and collection are available only insofar as they

  4  are implemented in other parts of the Florida Statutes or

  5  rules of the Department of Revenue. The rights so guaranteed

  6  to state taxpayers in the Florida Statutes and the

  7  departmental rules include:

  8         (1)  THE RIGHT TO KNOW.--

  9         (a)  The right to be mailed notice of proposed property

10  taxes and proposed or adopted non-ad valorem assessments (see

11  ss. 194.011(1), 200.065(2)(b) and (d) and (13)(a), and

12  200.069). The notice must also inform the taxpayer that the

13  final tax bill may contain additional non-ad valorem

14  assessments (see s. 200.069(11)).

15         (b)  The right to notification of a public hearing on

16  each taxing authority's tentative budget and proposed millage

17  rate and advertisement of a public hearing to finalize the

18  budget and adopt a millage rate (see s. 200.065(2)(c) and

19  (d)).

20         (c)  The right to advertised notice of the amount by

21  which the tentatively adopted millage rate results in taxes

22  that exceed the previous year's taxes (see s. 200.065(2)(d)

23  and (3)). The right to notification by first-class mail of a

24  comparison of the amount of the taxes to be levied from the

25  proposed millage rate under the tentative budget change,

26  compared to the previous year's taxes, and also compared to

27  the taxes that would be levied if no budget change is made

28  (see ss. 200.065(2)(b) and 200.069(2), (3), (4), and (9)).

29         (d)  The right that the adopted millage rate will not

30  exceed the tentatively adopted millage rate. If the tentative

31  rate exceeds the proposed rate, each taxpayer shall be mailed

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  notice comparing his or her taxes under the tentatively

  2  adopted millage rate to the taxes under the previously

  3  proposed rate, before a hearing to finalize the budget and

  4  adopt millage (see s. 200.065(2)(d)).

  5         (e)  The right to be sent notice by first-class mail of

  6  a non-ad valorem assessment hearing at least 20 days before

  7  the hearing with pertinent information, including the total

  8  amount to be levied against each parcel. All affected property

  9  owners have the right to appear at the hearing and to file

10  written objections with the local governing board (see s.

11  197.3632(4)(b) and (c) and (10)(b)2.b.).

12         (f)  The right of an exemption recipient to be sent a

13  renewal application for that exemption, the right to a receipt

14  for homestead exemption claim when filed, and the right to

15  notice of denial of the exemption (see ss. 196.011(6),

16  196.131(1), 196.151, and 196.193(1)(c) and (5)).

17         (g)  The right, on property determined not to have been

18  entitled to homestead exemption in a prior year, to notice of

19  intent from the property appraiser to record notice of tax

20  lien and the right to pay tax, penalty, and interest before a

21  tax lien is recorded for any prior year (see s.

22  196.161(1)(b)).

23         (h)  The right to be informed during the tax collection

24  process, including: notice of tax due; notice of back taxes;

25  notice of late taxes and assessments and consequences of

26  nonpayment; opportunity to pay estimated taxes and non-ad

27  valorem assessments when the tax roll will not be certified in

28  time; notice when interest begins to accrue on delinquent

29  provisional taxes; notice of the right to prepay estimated

30  taxes by installment; a statement of the taxpayer's estimated

31  tax liability for use in making installment payments; and

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  notice of right to defer taxes and non-ad valorem assessments

  2  on homestead property (see ss. 197.322(3), 197.3635, 197.343,

  3  197.363(2)(c), 197.222(3) and (5), 197.2301(3),

  4  197.3632(8)(a), 193.1145(10)(a), and 197.254(1)).

  5         (i)  The right to an advertisement in a newspaper

  6  listing names of taxpayers who are delinquent in paying

  7  tangible personal property taxes, with amounts due, and giving

  8  notice that interest is accruing at 18 percent and that,

  9  unless taxes are paid, warrants will be issued, prior to

10  petition made with the circuit court for an order to seize and

11  sell property (see s. 197.402(2)).

12         (j)  The right to be mailed notice when a petition has

13  been filed with the court for an order to seize and sell

14  property and the right to be mailed notice, and to be served

15  notice by the sheriff, before the date of sale, that

16  application for tax deed has been made and property will be

17  sold unless back taxes are paid (see ss. 197.413(5),

18  197.502(4)(a), and 197.522(1)(a) and (2)).

19         (k)  The right to have certain taxes and special

20  assessments levied by special districts individually stated on

21  the "Notice of Proposed Property Taxes and Proposed or Adopted

22  Non-Ad Valorem Assessments" (see s. 200.069).

23         (2)  THE RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS.--

24         (a)  The right to an informal conference with the

25  property appraiser to present facts the taxpayer considers to

26  support changing the assessment and to have the property

27  appraiser present facts supportive of the assessment upon

28  proper request of any taxpayer who objects to the assessment

29  placed on his or her property (see s. 194.011(2)).

30         (b)  The right to petition the value adjustment board

31  over objections to assessments, denial of exemption, denial of

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  agricultural classification, denial of historic

  2  classification, denial of high-water recharge classification,

  3  disapproval of tax deferral, and any penalties on deferred

  4  taxes imposed for incorrect information willfully filed.

  5  Payment of estimated taxes does not preclude the right of the

  6  taxpayer to challenge his or her assessment (see ss.

  7  194.011(3), 196.011(6) and (9)(a), 196.151, 196.193(1)(c) and

  8  (5), 193.461(2), 193.503(7), 193.625(2), 197.253(2),

  9  197.301(2), and 197.2301(11)).

10         (c)  The right to file a petition for exemption or

11  agricultural classification with the value adjustment board

12  when an application deadline is missed, upon demonstration of

13  particular extenuating circumstances for filing late (see ss.

14  193.461(3)(a) and 196.011(1), (7), (8), and (9)(c)).

15         (d)  The right to prior notice of the value adjustment

16  board's hearing date and the right to the hearing within 4

17  hours of scheduled time (see s. 194.032(2)).

18         (e)  The right to notice of date of certification of

19  tax rolls and receipt of property record card if requested

20  (see ss. 193.122(2) and (3) and 194.032(2)).

21         (f)  The right, in value adjustment board proceedings,

22  to have all evidence presented and considered at a public

23  hearing at the scheduled time, to be represented by an

24  attorney or agent, to have witnesses sworn and cross-examined,

25  and to examine property appraisers or evaluators employed by

26  the board who present testimony (see ss. 194.034(1)(a) and (c)

27  and (4), and 194.035(2)).

28         (g)  The right to be mailed a timely written decision

29  by the value adjustment board containing findings of fact and

30  conclusions of law and reasons for upholding or overturning

31  the determination of the property appraiser, and the right to

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  advertised notice of all board actions, including appropriate

  2  narrative and column descriptions, in brief and nontechnical

  3  language (see ss. 194.034(2) and 194.037(3)).

  4         (h)  The right at a public hearing on non-ad valorem

  5  assessments or municipal special assessments to provide

  6  written objections and to provide testimony to the local

  7  governing board (see ss. 197.3632(4)(c) and 170.08).

  8         (i)  The right to bring action in circuit court to

  9  contest a tax assessment or appeal value adjustment board

10  decisions to disapprove exemption or deny tax deferral (see

11  ss. 194.036(1)(c) and (2), 194.171, 196.151, and 197.253(2)).

12         (3)  THE RIGHT TO REDRESS.--

13         (a)  The right to discounts for early payment on all

14  taxes and non-ad valorem assessments collected by the tax

15  collector, the right to pay installment payments with

16  discounts, and the right to pay delinquent personal property

17  taxes under an installment payment program when implemented by

18  the county tax collector (see ss. 197.162, 197.3632(8) and

19  (10)(b)3., 197.222(1), and 197.4155).

20         (b)  The right, upon filing a challenge in circuit

21  court and paying taxes admitted in good faith to be owing, to

22  be issued a receipt and have suspended all procedures for the

23  collection of taxes until the final disposition of the action

24  (see s. 194.171(3)).

25         (c)  The right to have penalties reduced or waived upon

26  a showing of good cause when a return is not intentionally

27  filed late, and the right to pay interest at a reduced rate if

28  the court finds that the amount of tax owed by the taxpayer is

29  greater than the amount the taxpayer has in good faith

30  admitted and paid (see ss. 193.072(4) and 194.192(2)).

31         (d)  The right to a refund when overpayment of taxes

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  has been made under specified circumstances (see ss.

  2  193.1145(8)(e) and 197.182(1)).

  3         (e)  The right to an extension to file a tangible

  4  personal property tax return upon making proper and timely

  5  request (see s. 193.063).

  6         (f)  The right to redeem real property and redeem tax

  7  certificates at any time before a tax deed is issued, and the

  8  right to have tax certificates canceled if sold where taxes

  9  had been paid or if other error makes it void or correctable.

10  Property owners have the right to be free from contact by a

11  certificateholder for 2 years (see ss. 197.432(14) and (15),

12  197.442(1), 197.443, and 197.472(1) and (7)).

13         (g)  The right of the taxpayer, property appraiser, tax

14  collector, or the department, as the prevailing party in a

15  judicial or administrative action brought or maintained

16  without the support of justiciable issues of fact or law, to

17  recover all costs of the administrative or judicial action,

18  including reasonable attorney's fees, and of the department

19  and the taxpayer to settle such claims through negotiations

20  (see ss. 57.105 and 57.111).

21         (4)  THE RIGHT TO CONFIDENTIALITY.--

22         (a)  The right to have information kept confidential,

23  including federal tax information, ad valorem tax returns,

24  social security numbers, all financial records produced by the

25  taxpayer, Form DR-219 returns for documentary stamp tax

26  information, and sworn statements of gross income, copies of

27  federal income tax returns for the prior year, wage and

28  earnings statements (W-2 forms), and other documents (see ss.

29  192.105, 193.074, 193.114(6), 195.027(3) and (6), and

30  196.101(4)(c)).

31         (b)  The right to limiting access to a taxpayer's

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  records by a property appraiser, the Department of Revenue,

  2  and the Auditor General only to those instances in which it is

  3  determined that such records are necessary to determine either

  4  the classification or the value of taxable nonhomestead

  5  property (see s. 195.027(3)).

  6         Section 2.  Subsection (3) of section 194.011, Florida

  7  Statutes, is amended, and subsections (4) and (5) are added to

  8  said section, to read:

  9         194.011  Assessment notice; objections to

10  assessments.--

11         (3)  A petition to the value adjustment board must be

12  in substantially the form prescribed by the department.

13  Notwithstanding s. 195.022, a county officer may not refuse to

14  accept a form provided by the department for this purpose if

15  the taxpayer chooses to use it. A petition to the value

16  adjustment board shall describe the property by parcel number

17  and shall be filed as follows:

18         (a)  The property appraiser shall have available and

19  shall distribute forms prescribed by the Department of Revenue

20  on which the petition shall be made.  Such petition shall be

21  sworn to by the petitioner.

22         (b)  The completed petition shall be filed with the

23  clerk of the value adjustment board of the county, who shall

24  acknowledge receipt thereof and promptly furnish a copy

25  thereof to the property appraiser.

26         (c)  The petition shall state the approximate time

27  anticipated by the taxpayer to present and argue his or her

28  petition before the board.

29         (d)  The petition may be filed, as to valuation issues,

30  at any time during the taxable year on or before the 25th day

31  following the mailing of notice by the property appraiser as

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  provided in subsection (1).  With respect to an issue

  2  involving the denial of an exemption, an agricultural or

  3  high-water recharge classification application, an application

  4  for classification as historic property used for commercial or

  5  certain nonprofit purposes, or a deferral, the petition must

  6  be filed at any time during the taxable year on or before the

  7  30th day following the mailing of the notice by the property

  8  appraiser under s. 193.461, s. 193.503, s. 193.625, or s.

  9  196.193 or notice by the tax collector under s. 197.253.

10         (e)  A condominium association, cooperative

11  association, or any homeowners' association as defined in s.

12  723.075, with approval of its board of administration or

13  directors, may file with the value adjustment board a single

14  joint petition on behalf of any association members who own

15  parcels of property which the property appraiser determines

16  are substantially similar with respect to location, proximity

17  to amenities, number of rooms, living area, and condition.

18  The condominium association, cooperative association, or

19  homeowners' association as defined in s. 723.075 shall provide

20  the unit owners with notice of its intent to petition the

21  value adjustment board and shall provide at least 20 days for

22  a unit owner to elect, in writing, that his or her unit not be

23  included in the petition.

24         (f)  An owner of contiguous, undeveloped parcels may

25  file with the value adjustment board a single joint petition

26  if the property appraiser determines such parcels are

27  substantially similar in nature.

28         (g)  The individual, agent, or legal entity that signs

29  the petition becomes an agent of the taxpayer for the purpose

30  of serving process to obtain personal jurisdiction over the

31  taxpayer for the entire value adjustment board proceedings,

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  including any appeals of a board decision by the property

  2  appraiser pursuant to s. 194.036.

  3         (4)(a)  At least 10 days before the hearing, the

  4  petitioner shall provide to the property appraiser a list of

  5  evidence to be presented at the hearing, together with copies

  6  of all documentation to be considered by the value adjustment

  7  board and a summary of evidence to be presented by witnesses,

  8  and shall mail a copy of same to the value adjustment board.

  9         (b)  No later than 5 days after the petitioner provides

10  the information required under paragraph (a), the property

11  appraiser shall provide to the petitioner a list of evidence

12  to be presented at the hearing, together with copies of all

13  documentation to be considered by the value adjustment board

14  and a summary of evidence to be presented by witnesses, and

15  shall mail a copy of same to the value adjustment board. The

16  evidence list must contain the property record card if

17  provided by the clerk.

18         (5)  The department shall by rule prescribe uniform

19  procedures for hearings before the value adjustment board

20  which include requiring:

21         (a)  That if the petition is not fully complete, the

22  property appraiser shall notify the petitioner of the

23  deficiency and specify what information will be required for

24  the property appraiser to consider the petition complete;

25         (b)  Procedures for the exchange of information and

26  evidence by the property appraiser and the petitioner

27  consistent with s. 194.032; and

28         (c)  That the value adjustment board hold an

29  organizational meeting for the purpose of making these

30  procedures available to petitioners.

31         Section 3.  Subsection (2) of section 194.032, Florida

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  Statutes, is amended to read:

  2         194.032  Hearing purposes; timetable.--

  3         (2)  The clerk of the governing body of the county

  4  shall prepare a schedule of appearances before the board based

  5  on petitions timely filed with him or her.  The clerk shall

  6  notify each petitioner of the scheduled time of his or her

  7  appearance no less than 20 15 calendar days prior to the day

  8  of such scheduled appearance. Upon receipt of this

  9  notification, the petitioner shall have the right to

10  reschedule the hearing a single time by submitting to the

11  clerk of the governing body of the county a written request to

12  reschedule, no less than 5 calendar days before the day of the

13  originally scheduled hearing. A copy of the property record

14  card containing relevant information used in computing the

15  taxpayer's current assessment shall be included with such

16  notice, if said card was requested by the taxpayer.  Such

17  request shall be made by checking an appropriate box on the

18  petition form.  No petitioner shall be required to wait for

19  more than 4 hours from the scheduled time; and, if his or her

20  petition is not heard in that time, the petitioner may, at his

21  or her option, report to the chairperson of the meeting that

22  he or she intends to leave; and, if he or she is not heard

23  immediately, the petitioner's administrative remedies will be

24  deemed to be exhausted, and he or she may seek further relief

25  as he or she deems appropriate. Failure on three occasions

26  with respect to any single tax year to convene at the

27  scheduled time of meetings of the board shall constitute

28  grounds for removal from office by the Governor for neglect of

29  duties.

30         Section 4.  Subsection (1) of section 194.035, Florida

31  Statutes, is amended to read:

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1         194.035  Special masters; property evaluators.--

  2         (1)  In counties having a population of more than

  3  75,000, the board shall is authorized to appoint special

  4  masters for the purpose of taking testimony and making

  5  recommendations to the board, which recommendations the board

  6  may act upon without further hearing.  Such special masters

  7  may not be elected or appointed officials or employees of the

  8  county but shall be selected from a list of those qualified

  9  individuals who are willing to serve as special masters.

10  Employees and elected or appointed officials of a taxing

11  jurisdiction or of the state may not serve as special masters.

12  The clerk of the board shall annually notify such individuals

13  or their professional associations to make known to them that

14  opportunities to serve as special masters exist. The

15  Department of Revenue shall provide a list of qualified

16  special masters to any county with a population of 75,000 or

17  less.  Subject to appropriation, the department shall

18  reimburse counties with a population of 75,000 or less for

19  payments made to special masters appointed for the purpose of

20  taking testimony and making recommendations to the value

21  adjustment board pursuant to s. 194.035.  The department shall

22  establish a reasonable range for payments per case to special

23  masters based on such payments in other counties.  Requests

24  for reimbursement of payments outside this range shall be

25  justified by the county.  If the total of all requests for

26  reimbursement in any year exceeds the amount available

27  pursuant to this section, payments to all counties shall be

28  prorated accordingly. A special master appointed to hear

29  issues of exemptions and classifications shall be a member of

30  The Florida Bar with no less than 5 years' experience in the

31  area of ad valorem taxation.  A special master appointed to

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  hear issues regarding the valuation of real estate shall be a

  2  state certified real estate appraiser with not less than 5

  3  years' experience in real property valuation.  A special

  4  master appointed to hear issues regarding the valuation of

  5  tangible personal property shall be a designated member of a

  6  nationally recognized appraiser's organization with not less

  7  than 5 years' experience in tangible personal property

  8  valuation. A special master shall be either a member of The

  9  Florida Bar and knowledgeable in the area of ad valorem

10  taxation or a designated member of a professionally recognized

11  real estate appraisers' organization and have not less than 5

12  years' experience in property valuation.  A special master

13  need not be a resident of the county in which he or she

14  serves.  No special master shall be permitted to represent a

15  person before the board in any tax year during which he or she

16  has served that board as a special master.  The board shall

17  appoint such masters from the list so compiled prior to

18  convening of the board.  The expense of hearings before

19  special masters and any compensation of special masters shall

20  be borne three-fifths by the board of county commissioners and

21  two-fifths by the school board.

22         Section 5.  Subsection (1) of section 195.062, Florida

23  Statutes, is amended to read:

24         195.062  Manual of instructions.--

25         (1)  The department shall prepare and maintain a

26  current manual of instructions for property appraisers and

27  other officials connected with the administration of property

28  taxes. This manual shall contain all:

29         (a)  Rules and regulations.

30         (b)  Standard measures of value.

31         (c)  Forms and instructions relating to the use of

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  forms and maps.

  2

  3  Consistent with s. 195.032, the standard measures of value

  4  shall be adopted in general conformity with the procedures set

  5  forth in s. 120.54, but shall not have the force or effect of

  6  such rules and shall be used only to assist tax officers in

  7  the assessment of property as provided by s. 195.002.

  8  Guidelines may be updated annually to incorporate new market

  9  data, which may be in tabular form. Such new data may be

10  incorporated into the guidelines on the approval of the

11  executive director if after notice in substantial conformity

12  with s. 120.54 there is no objection filed with the department

13  within 45 days, and the procedures set forth in s. 120.54 do

14  not apply.

15         Section 6.  Paragraphs (e) through (l) are added to

16  subsection (1) of section 197.182, Florida Statutes, to read:

17         197.182  Department of Revenue to pass upon and order

18  refunds.--

19         (1)

20         (e)  If funds are available from current receipts and,

21  subject to subsection (3), if a refund is approved, the

22  taxpayer is entitled to receive a refund within 100 days after

23  a claim for refund is made, unless the tax collector, property

24  appraiser, or department states good cause for remitting the

25  refund after that date. The times stated in this paragraph and

26  paragraphs (f) through (j) are directory and may be extended

27  by a maximum of an additional 60 days if good cause is stated.

28         (f)  If the taxpayer contacts the property appraiser

29  first, the property appraiser shall refer the taxpayer to the

30  tax collector.

31         (g)  If a correction to the roll by the property

                                  14

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  appraiser is required as a condition for the refund, the tax

  2  collector shall, within 30 days, advise the property appraiser

  3  of the taxpayer's application for a refund and forward the

  4  application to the property appraiser.

  5         (h)  The property appraiser has 30 days after receipt

  6  of the form from the tax collector to correct the roll if a

  7  correction is permissible by law. After the 30 days, the

  8  property appraiser shall immediately advise the tax collector

  9  in writing whether or not the roll has been corrected, stating

10  the reasons why the roll was corrected or not corrected.

11         (i)  If the refund is not one that can be directly

12  acted upon by the tax collector, for which an order from the

13  department is required, the tax collector shall forward the

14  claim for refund to the department upon receipt of the

15  correction from the property appraiser or 30 days after the

16  claim for refund, whichever occurs first. This provision does

17  not apply to corrections resulting in refunds of less than

18  $400, which the tax collector shall make directly, without

19  order from the department, and from undistributed funds, and

20  may make without approval of the various taxing authorities.

21         (j)  The department shall approve or deny all refunds

22  within 30 days after receiving from the tax collector the

23  claim for refund, unless good cause is stated for delaying the

24  approval or denial beyond that date.

25         (k)  Subject to and after meeting the requirements of

26  s. 194.171 and this section, an action to contest a denial of

27  refund may not be brought later than 60 days after the date

28  the tax collector issues the denial to the taxpayer, which

29  notice must be sent by certified mail, or 4 years after

30  January 1 of the year for which the taxes were paid, whichever

31  is later.

                                  15

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1         (l)  In computing any time period under this section,

  2  when the last day of the period is a Saturday, Sunday, or

  3  legal holiday, the period is to be extended to the next

  4  working day.

  5         Section 7.  Section 200.069, Florida Statutes, is

  6  amended to read:

  7         200.069  Notice of proposed property taxes and non-ad

  8  valorem assessments.--Pursuant to s. 200.065(2)(b), the

  9  property appraiser, in the name of the taxing authorities and

10  local governing boards levying non-ad valorem assessments

11  within his or her jurisdiction and at the expense of the

12  county, shall prepare and deliver by first-class mail to each

13  taxpayer to be listed on the current year's assessment roll a

14  notice of proposed property taxes, which notice shall contain

15  the elements and use the format provided in be in

16  substantially the following form. Notwithstanding the

17  provisions of s. 195.022, no county officer shall use a form

18  other than that provided herein by the department for this

19  purpose, except as provided in s. 200.065(13). The Department

20  of Revenue may adjust the spacing and placement on the form of

21  the elements listed in this section as it considers necessary

22  based on changes in conditions necessitated by various taxing

23  authorities. If the elements are in the order listed, the

24  placement of the listed columns may be varied at the

25  discretion and expense of the property appraiser, and the

26  property appraiser may use printing technology and devices to

27  complete the form, the spacing, and the placement of the

28  information in the columns. A county officer may use a form

29  other than that provided by the department for purposes of

30  this part, but only if his or her office pays the related

31  expenses and he or she obtains prior written permission from

                                  16

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  the executive director of the department; however, a county

  2  officer may not use a form the substantive content of which is

  3  at variance with the form prescribed by the department. The

  4  county officer may continue to use such an approved form until

  5  the law that specifies the form is amended or repealed or

  6  until the officer receives written disapproval from the

  7  executive director.

  8         (1)  The notice shall read:

  9

10                NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROPERTY TAXES

11                  DO NOT PAY--THIS IS NOT A BILL

12

13         The taxing authorities which levy property taxes

14  against your property will soon hold PUBLIC HEARINGS to adopt

15  budgets and tax rates for the next year.

16         The purpose of these PUBLIC HEARINGS is to receive

17  opinions from the general public and to answer questions on

18  the proposed tax change and budget PRIOR TO TAKING FINAL

19  ACTION.

20         Each taxing authority may AMEND OR ALTER its proposals

21  at the hearing.

22

23         (2)  The notice shall further contain information

24  applicable to the specific parcel in question.  The

25  information shall be in columnar form. There shall be five

26  column headings which shall read:  "Taxing Authority," "Your

27  Property Taxes Last Year," "Your Taxes This Year IF PROPOSED

28  Budget Change is Made," "A Public Hearing on the Proposed

29  Taxes and Budget Will be Held:", and "Your Taxes This Year IF

30  NO Budget Change is Made."

31         (3)  There shall be under each column heading an entry

                                  17

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  for the county; the school district levy required pursuant to

  2  s. 236.02(6); other operating school levies; the municipality

  3  or municipal service taxing unit or units in which the parcel

  4  lies, if any; the water management district levying pursuant

  5  to s. 373.503; the independent special districts in which the

  6  parcel lies, if any; and for all voted levies for debt service

  7  applicable to the parcel, if any.

  8         (4)  For each entry listed in subsection (3), there

  9  shall appear on the notice the following:

10         (a)  In the first column, a brief, commonly used name

11  for the taxing authority or its governing body. The entry in

12  the first column for the levy required pursuant to s.

13  236.02(6) shall be "By State Law." The entry for other

14  operating school district levies shall be "By Local Board."

15  Both school levy entries shall be indented and preceded by the

16  notation "Public Schools:". For each voted levy for debt

17  service, the entry shall be "Voter Approved Debt Payments."

18         (b)  In the second column, the gross amount of ad

19  valorem taxes levied against the parcel in the previous year.

20  If the parcel did not exist in the previous year, the second

21  column shall be blank.

22         (c)  In the third column, the gross amount of ad

23  valorem taxes proposed to be levied in the current year, which

24  amount shall be based on the proposed millage rates provided

25  to the property appraiser pursuant to s. 200.065(2)(b) or, in

26  the case of voted levies for debt service, the millage rate

27  previously authorized by referendum, and the taxable value of

28  the parcel as shown on the current year's assessment roll.

29         (d)  In the fourth column, the date, the time, and a

30  brief description of the location of the public hearing

31  required pursuant to s. 200.065(2)(c).

                                  18

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1         (e)  In the fifth column, the gross amount of ad

  2  valorem taxes which would apply to the parcel in the current

  3  year if each taxing authority were to levy the rolled-back

  4  rate computed pursuant to s. 200.065(1) or, in the case of

  5  voted levies for debt service, the amount previously

  6  authorized by referendum.

  7         (f)  For special assessments collected utilizing the ad

  8  valorem method pursuant to s. 197.363, the previous year's

  9  assessment amount shall be added to the ad valorem taxes shown

10  in the second and fifth columns, and the amount proposed to be

11  imposed for the current year shall be added to the ad valorem

12  taxes shown in the third column.

13         (5)  The amounts shown on each line preceding each

14  entry for voted levies for debt service shall include the sum

15  of all ad valorem levies of the applicable unit of local

16  government for operating purposes, including those of

17  dependent special districts (except for municipal service

18  taxing units, which shall be listed on the line for

19  municipalities), and all nonvoted or nondebt service special

20  assessments imposed by the applicable unit of local government

21  to be collected utilizing the ad valorem method.

22         (6)  Following the entries for each taxing authority, a

23  final entry shall show:  in the first column, the words "Total

24  Property Taxes:" and in the second, third, and fifth columns,

25  the sum of the entries for each of the individual taxing

26  authorities.  The second, third, and fifth columns shall,

27  immediately below said entries, be labeled Column 1, Column 2,

28  and Column 3, respectively.  Below these labels shall appear,

29  in boldfaced type, the statement:  SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR

30  EXPLANATION.

31         (7)  The notice shall further show a brief legal

                                  19

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  description of the property and the name and mailing address

  2  of the owner of record.

  3         (8)  The notice shall further read:

  4

  5                 Market       Assessed       Exemp-       Taxable

  6                 Value         Value         tions         Value

  7  Your Property

  8  Value Last

  9  Year         $.........    $.........    $.........    $.........

10  Your Property

11  Value This

12  Year         $.........    $.........    $.........    $.........

13

14         If you feel that the market value of your property is

15  inaccurate or does not reflect fair market value, contact your

16  county property appraiser at ...(phone number)... or

17  ...(location)....

18         If the property appraiser's office is unable to resolve

19  the matter as to market value, you may file a petition for

20  adjustment with the Value Adjustment Board. Petition forms are

21  available from the county property appraiser and must be filed

22  ON OR BEFORE ...(date)....

23

24         (9)  The reverse side of the form shall read:

25

26                           EXPLANATION

27

28  *COLUMN 1--"YOUR PROPERTY TAXES LAST YEAR"

29  This column shows the taxes that applied last year to your

30  property. These amounts were based on budgets adopted last

31  year and your property's previous taxable value.

                                  20

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  *COLUMN 2--"YOUR TAXES IF PROPOSED BUDGET CHANGE IS MADE"

  2  This column shows what your taxes will be this year under the

  3  BUDGET ACTUALLY PROPOSED by each local taxing authority. The

  4  proposal is NOT final and may be amended at the public

  5  hearings shown on the front side of this notice.

  6  *COLUMN 3--"YOUR TAXES IF NO BUDGET CHANGE IS MADE"

  7  This column shows what your taxes will be this year IF EACH

  8  TAXING AUTHORITY DOES NOT INCREASE ITS PROPERTY TAX LEVY.

  9  These amounts are based on last year's budgets and your

10  current assessment. The difference between columns 2 and 3 is

11  the tax change proposed by each local taxing authority and is

12  NOT the result of higher assessments.

13         ASSESSED VALUE means:

14         For homestead property: value as limited by the State

15  Constitution;

16         For agricultural and similarly assessed property:

17  classified use value;

18         For all other property: market value.

19

20  *Note: Amounts shown on this form do NOT reflect early payment

21  discounts you may have received or may be eligible to receive.

22  (Discounts are a maximum of 4 percent of the amounts shown on

23  this form.)

24

25         (10)  The front side of the form required pursuant to

26  this section shall approximate in all essential respects the

27  facsimile set forth in this subsection as it appears in s. 26,

28  chapter 80-274, Laws of Florida, except for amendments

29  subsequent to 1980.

30         (10)(11)  The bottom portion of the notice shall

31  further read in bold, conspicuous print:

                                  21

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1

  2         "Your final tax bill may contain non-ad valorem

  3         assessments which may not be reflected on this

  4         notice such as assessments for roads, fire,

  5         garbage, lighting, drainage, water, sewer, or

  6         other governmental services and facilities

  7         which may be levied by your county, city, or

  8         any special district."

  9

10         (11)(12)(a)  If requested by the local governing board

11  levying non-ad valorem assessments and agreed to by the

12  property appraiser, the notice specified in this section may

13  contain a notice of proposed or adopted non-ad valorem

14  assessments.  If so agreed, the notice shall be titled:

15

16                NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROPERTY TAXES

17                     AND PROPOSED OR ADOPTED

18                    NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENTS

19                  DO NOT PAY--THIS IS NOT A BILL

20

21  There must be a clear partition between the notice of proposed

22  property taxes and the notice of proposed or adopted non-ad

23  valorem assessments.  The partition must be a bold, horizontal

24  line approximately  1/8 -inch thick.  By rule, the department

25  shall provide a format for the form of the notice of proposed

26  or adopted non-ad valorem assessments which meets the

27  following minimum requirements:

28         1.  There must be subheading for columns listing the

29  levying local governing board, with corresponding assessment

30  rates expressed in dollars and cents per unit of assessment,

31  and the associated assessment amount.

                                  22

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1         2.  The purpose of each assessment must also be listed

  2  in the column listing the levying local governing board if the

  3  purpose is not clearly indicated by the name of the board.

  4         3.  Each non-ad valorem assessment for each levying

  5  local governing board must be listed separately.

  6         4.  If a county has too many municipal service benefit

  7  units or assessments to be listed separately, it shall combine

  8  them by function.

  9         5.  A brief statement outlining the responsibility of

10  the tax collector and each levying local governing board as to

11  any non-ad valorem assessment must be provided on the form,

12  accompanied by directions as to which office to contact for

13  particular questions or problems.

14         (b)  If the notice includes all adopted non-ad valorem

15  assessments, the provisions contained in subsection (10) (11)

16  shall not be placed on the notice.

17         Section 8.  Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section

18  163.387, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

19         163.387  Redevelopment trust fund.--

20         (2)

21         (c)  The following public bodies or taxing authorities

22  created prior to July 1, 1993, are exempt from paragraph (a):

23         1.  A special district that levies ad valorem taxes on

24  taxable real property in more than one county.

25         2.  A special district for which the sole available

26  source of revenue of which the district has the authority to

27  levy is ad valorem taxes at the time an ordinance is adopted

28  under this section. However, revenues or aid that may be

29  dispensed or appropriated to a district as defined in s.

30  388.011 at the discretion of an entity other than such

31  district shall not be deemed available.

                                  23

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1         3.  A library district, except a library district in a

  2  jurisdiction where the community redevelopment agency had

  3  validated bonds as of April 30, 1984.

  4         4.  A neighborhood improvement district created under

  5  the Safe Neighborhoods Act.

  6         5.  A metropolitan transportation authority.

  7         6.  A water management district created under s.

  8  373.069.

  9         7.  A fire control district created and operating

10  pursuant to chapter 191 or a special act.

11         Section 9.  Section 193.092, Florida Statutes, is

12  amended to read:

13         193.092  Assessment of property for back taxes.--

14         (1)  When it shall appear that any ad valorem tax might

15  have been lawfully assessed or collected upon any property in

16  the state, but that such tax was not lawfully assessed or

17  levied, and has not been collected for any year within a

18  period of 3 years next preceding the year in which it is

19  ascertained that such tax has not been assessed, or levied, or

20  collected, then the officers authorized shall make the

21  assessment of taxes upon such property in addition to the

22  assessment of such property for the current year, and shall

23  assess the same separately for such property as may have

24  escaped taxation at and upon the basis of valuation applied to

25  such property for the year or years in which it escaped

26  taxation, noting distinctly the year when such property

27  escaped taxation and such assessment shall have the same force

28  and effect as it would have had if it had been made in the

29  year in which the property shall have escaped taxation, and

30  taxes shall be levied and collected thereon in like manner and

31  together with taxes for the current year in which the

                                  24

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  assessment is made.  But no property shall be assessed for

  2  more than 3 years' arrears of taxation, and all property so

  3  escaping taxation shall be subject to such taxation to be

  4  assessed in whomsoever's hands or possession the same may be

  5  found, except that property acquired by a bona fide purchaser

  6  who was without knowledge of the escaped taxation shall not be

  7  subject to assessment for taxes for any time prior to the time

  8  of such purchase, but it is the duty of the property appraiser

  9  making such assessment to serve upon the previous owner a

10  notice of intent to record in the public records of the county

11  a notice of tax lien against any property owned by that person

12  in the county. Any property owned by such previous owner which

13  is situated in this state is subject to the lien of such

14  assessment in the same manner as a recorded judgment. Before

15  any such lien may be recorded, the owner so notified must be

16  given 30 days to pay the taxes, penalties, and interest. Once

17  recorded such lien may be recorded in any county in this state

18  and shall constitute a lien on any property of such person in

19  such county in the same manner as a recorded judgment, and may

20  be enforced by the tax collector using all remedies pertaining

21  to same; provided, that the county property appraiser shall

22  not assess any lot or parcel of land certified or sold to the

23  state for any previous years unless such lot or parcel of

24  lands so certified or sold shall be included in the list

25  furnished by the Comptroller to the county property appraiser

26  as provided by law; provided, if real or personal property be

27  assessed for taxes, and because of litigation delay ensues and

28  the assessment be held invalid the taxing authorities, may

29  reassess such property within the time herein provided after

30  the termination of such litigation; provided further, that

31  personal property acquired in good faith by purchase shall not

                                  25

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  be subject to assessment for taxes for any time prior to the

  2  time of such purchase, but the individual or corporation

  3  liable for any such assessment shall continue personally

  4  liable for same. As used in this subsection, the term "bona

  5  fide purchaser" means a purchaser for value, in good faith,

  6  before certification of such assessment of back taxes to the

  7  tax collector for collection.

  8         (2)  The provisions of This section applies shall apply

  9  to property of every class and kind upon which ad valorem tax

10  is assessable by any state or county authority under the laws

11  of the state.

12         Section 10.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section

13  196.161, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

14         196.161  Homestead exemptions; lien imposed on property

15  of person claiming exemption although not a permanent

16  resident.--

17         (1)

18         (b)  In addition, upon determination by the property

19  appraiser that for any year or years within the prior 10 years

20  a person who was not entitled to a homestead exemption was

21  granted a homestead exemption from ad valorem taxes, it shall

22  be the duty of the property appraiser making such

23  determination to serve upon the owner a notice of intent to

24  record in the public records of the county a notice of tax

25  lien against any property owned by that person in the county,

26  and such property shall be identified in the notice of tax

27  lien. Such property which is situated in this state shall be

28  subject to the taxes exempted thereby, plus a penalty of 50

29  percent of the unpaid taxes for each year and 15 percent

30  interest per annum.  However, if a homestead exemption is

31  improperly granted as a result of a clerical mistake or an

                                  26

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  omission by the property appraiser, the person improperly

  2  receiving the exemption shall not be assessed penalty and

  3  interest. Before any such lien may be filed, the owner so

  4  notified must be given 30 days to pay the taxes, penalties,

  5  and interest.

  6         Section 11.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (13) of

  7  section 200.065, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  8         200.065  Method of fixing millage.--

  9         (13)(a)  If the notice of proposed property taxes

10  mailed to taxpayers under this section contains an error, the

11  property appraiser, in lieu of mailing a corrected notice to

12  all taxpayers, may correct the error by mailing a short form

13  of the notice to those taxpayers affected by the error and its

14  correction.  The notice shall be prepared by the property

15  appraiser at the expense of the taxing authority which caused

16  the error or at the property appraiser's expense if he or she

17  caused the error.  The form of the notice must be approved by

18  the executive director of the Department of Revenue or the

19  executive director's designee. If the error involves only the

20  date and time of the public hearings required by this section,

21  the property appraiser, with the permission of the taxing

22  authority affected by the error, may correct the error by

23  advertising the corrected information in a newspaper of

24  general circulation in the county as provided in subsection

25  (3).

26         Section 12.  Subsection (5) of section 420.5093,

27  Florida Statutes, is amended, present subsection (6) of said

28  section is renumbered as subsection (7), and a new subsection

29  (6) is added to said section, to read:

30         420.5093  State Housing Tax Credit Program.--

31         (5)  For purposes of implementing this program and

                                  27

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  assessing the property for ad valorem taxation under s.

  2  193.011, neither the tax credits nor financing generated by

  3  tax credits shall be considered as income to the property, and

  4  the actual rental income from rent-restricted units in a state

  5  housing tax credit development shall be recognized by the

  6  property appraiser. In considering or using the market or cost

  7  approaches under s. 193.011, neither the costs paid for by tax

  8  credits nor the costs paid for by additional financing

  9  proceeds received because the property is in the program shall

10  be included in the valuation.

11         (6)  For the further purpose of implementing this

12  program in Florida and in assessing the property for ad

13  valorem taxation under s. 193.011, any extended low income

14  housing agreement and all amendments and supplements thereto

15  which are recorded and filed in the official public records of

16  the county where the property is located shall be deemed a

17  land use regulation during the term of any such agreement,

18  amendment, or supplement.

19         Section 13.  Subsection (5) of section 420.5099,

20  Florida Statutes, is amended, present subsection (6) of said

21  section is renumbered as subsection (7), and a new subsection

22  (6) is added to said section, to read:

23         420.5099  Allocation of the low-income housing tax

24  credit.--

25         (5)  For purposes of implementing this program in

26  Florida and in assessing the property for ad valorem taxation

27  under s. 193.011, neither the tax credits, nor financing

28  generated by tax credits, shall be considered as income to the

29  property, and the actual rental income from rent restricted

30  units in a low-income tax credit development shall be

31  recognized by the property appraiser. In considering or using

                                  28

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  the market or cost approaches under s. 193.011, neither the

  2  costs paid for by tax credits nor the costs paid for by

  3  additional financing proceeds received because the property is

  4  in the program shall be included in the valuation.

  5         (6)  For the further purpose of implementing this

  6  program in Florida and in assessing the property for ad

  7  valorem taxation under s. 193.011, any extended low income

  8  housing agreement and all amendments and supplements thereto

  9  which are recorded and filed in the official public records of

10  the county where the property is located shall be deemed a

11  land use regulation during the term of any such agreement,

12  amendment, or supplement.

13         Section 14.  Section 197.552, Florida Statutes, is

14  amended to read:

15         197.552  Tax deeds.--All tax deeds shall be issued in

16  the name of a county and shall be signed by the clerk of the

17  county.  The deed shall be witnessed by two witnesses, the

18  official seal shall be attached thereto, and the deed shall be

19  acknowledged or proven as other deeds.  Except as specifically

20  provided in this chapter, no right, interest, restriction, or

21  other covenant shall survive the issuance of a tax deed,

22  except that a lien of record held by a municipal or county

23  governmental unit, special district, or community development

24  district, when such lien is not satisfied as of the

25  disbursement of proceeds of sale under the provisions of s.

26  197.582, shall survive the issuance of a tax deed.  The

27  charges by the clerk shall be as provided in s. 28.24.  Tax

28  deeds issued to a purchaser of land for delinquent taxes shall

29  be in the form prescribed by the department.  All deeds issued

30  pursuant to this section shall be prima facie evidence of the

31  regularity of all proceedings from the valuation of the lands

                                  29

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  to the issuance of the deed, inclusive.

  2         Section 15.  Paragraph (e) is added to subsection (3)

  3  of section 193.461, Florida Statutes, to read:

  4         193.461  Agricultural lands; classification and

  5  assessment; mandated eradication or quarantine program.--

  6         (3)

  7         (e)  Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a),

  8  land that has received an agricultural classification from the

  9  value adjustment board or a court of competent jurisdiction

10  pursuant to this section is entitled to receive such

11  classification in any subsequent year until such agricultural

12  use of the land is abandoned or discontinued, the land is

13  diverted to a nonagricultural use, or the land is reclassified

14  as nonagricultural pursuant to subsection (4). The property

15  appraiser must, no later than January 15, of each year,

16  provide notice to the owner of land that was classified

17  agricultural in the previous year informing the owner of the

18  requirements of this paragraph and requiring the owner to

19  certify that neither the ownership nor the use of the land has

20  changed. The department shall, by administrative rule,

21  prescribe the form of the notice to be used by the property

22  appraiser under this paragraph. However, this paragraph does

23  not apply to any property if the agricultural classification

24  of that property is the subject of current litigation.

25         Section 16.  There is appropriated from the General

26  Revenue Fund to the Department of Revenue the sum of $45,000

27  for the purpose of reimbursing counties for the cost of using

28  special masters as provided in s. 194.035, Florida Statutes,

29  as amended by this act.

30         Section 17.  This act shall take effect January 1,

31  2003.

                                  30

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1  ================ T I T L E   A M E N D M E N T ===============

  2  And the title is amended as follows:

  3  Remove:  the entire title,

  4

  5  and insert:

  6                      A bill to be entitled

  7         An act relating to property tax administration;

  8         amending s. 192.0105, F.S.; providing an

  9         additional right to know the amount of special

10         district taxes; amending s. 194.011, F.S.;

11         authorizing the Department of Revenue to

12         prescribe the form of a petition to the value

13         adjustment board; providing a timeline for the

14         exchange of information and uniform procedures

15         for value adjustment board hearings; amending

16         s. 194.032, F.S.; authorizing a petitioner to

17         reschedule a hearing under certain

18         circumstances; amending s. 194.035, F.S.;

19         limiting counties authorized to appoint special

20         masters; prohibiting certain persons from

21         serving as a special master; requiring the

22         Department of Revenue to provide certain

23         counties with lists of qualified special

24         masters; providing for reimbursement of

25         payments to special masters under certain

26         circumstances; providing procedures and

27         requirements for reimbursements; specifying

28         qualifications for special masters; amending s.

29         195.062, F.S.; authorizing the Department of

30         Revenue to update the guidelines for tangible

31         personal property assessment upon the approval

                                  31

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1         of the executive director; amending s. 197.182,

  2         F.S.; establishing procedures and timelines for

  3         approval or denial of property tax refund

  4         claims; amending s. 200.069, F.S.; providing

  5         that the Department of Revenue may adjust the

  6         placement of required information on

  7         Truth-In-Millage forms; amending s. 163.387,

  8         F.S.; revising certain criteria for exempting

  9         certain public bodies or taxing authorities

10         from requirements to appropriate certain

11         amounts to the Redevelopment Trust Fund;

12         including certain fire control districts within

13         the exemption; amending s. 193.092, F.S.;

14         providing an exception to the requirement for

15         assessing taxes to a current owner of property

16         that has previously escaped taxation; amending

17         s. 196.161, F.S.; providing a waiver of penalty

18         and interest in specified instances wherein a

19         taxpayer erroneously receives a homestead tax

20         exemption; amending s. 200.065, F.S.; revising

21         the procedure by which a property appraiser may

22         correct an error in notices of proposed taxes;

23         amending s. 420.5093, F.S.; prescribing how

24         property in the State Housing Tax Credit

25         Program shall be assessed; amending s.

26         420.5099, F.S.; prescribing how rent-restricted

27         units in a low-income tax credit development

28         shall be assessed; amending s. 197.552, F.S.;

29         providing for survival of special district or

30         community development district liens; amending

31         s. 193.461, F.S.; providing that property that

                                  32

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                                                   HOUSE AMENDMENT

    567-189AXA-32                                 Bill No. HB 1941

    Amendment No. ___ (for drafter's use only)





  1         has received an agricultural classification is

  2         entitled to such classification until

  3         agricultural use is abandoned; providing an

  4         exception under certain circumstances;

  5         providing an appropriation; providing an

  6         effective date.

  7

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