THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY PRESTON, READSHAW, CALTAGIRONE, COHEN, D. COSTA, P. COSTA, GROVE, HORNAMAN, JOSEPHS, KORTZ, KOTIK, MILLER, WHITE AND YOUNGBLOOD, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 3, 2012  

AN ACT

Amending the act of June 27, 1947 (P.L.1046, No.447), entitled,

as amended, "An act providing for equalization of assessed

valuations of real property throughout the Commonwealth for

use in determining the amount and allocation of Commonwealth

subsidies to school districts; providing for the establishing

of a common level ratio for each county; creating a State Tax

Equalization Board; and prescribing its powers and duties;

imposing duties on certain local officers, agents, boards,

commissions and departments; and making an appropriation,"

providing for powers and duties relating to county property

valuation and assessment activities.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  The act of June 27, 1947 (P.L.1046, No.447),

referred to as the State Tax Equalization Board Law, is amended

by adding a section to read:

Section 7.1.  Powers and Duties Relating to County Property

Valuation and Assessment Activities.--Notwithstanding any other

provision of law to the contrary, the board shall have the

following powers and duties:

(1)  The board shall promulgate rules and regulations

necessary to establish standards and procedures to govern the

assessment process uniformly throughout this Commonwealth and

shall establish criteria for requiring a countywide

reassessment.

(2)  The board shall have oversight over any county or city

boards, offices or authorities who are responsible for the

property valuation and assessment within their respective

jurisdictions.

(3)  The board shall have the authority to require counties

to assess properties at one hundred per centum (100%) of current

market value.

(4)  The board shall have the authority to order a county to

reassess property.

(5)  The board shall require each county to reassess property

on a staggered schedule so that each county completes an

assessment every six (6) years.

(6)  The board has final authority to approve all contractors

engaged in reassessments and shall approve all mass appraisal

models used in reassessments.

Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.