SB 5282, sponsored by Sen. Manka Dhingra (D–Redmond), prohibits the county treasurer from assessing interest or penalties on delinquent property tax payments and reduces the value of taxpayer property, in the event that the county treasurer and taxpayer enter a payment agreement.

The bill reduces the value of affected properties to address the impacts of “use restrictions imposed by federal, state, or local government in response to public health emergency.” Unfortunately, the proposed legislation does not address or define the use restrictions that would warrant a property value to be considered destroyed.

Under current statute, any real or personal property that has been destroyed (in whole or in part) by a natural disaster is eligible for a reduced assessment that year. The value must be reduced by more than 20 percent to be considered for the property tax abatement.

AWC would like input from city finance directors on this bill. Contact Candice or Maggie to weigh in.