House of Representatives

SB 1330

districts; public lighting

Sponsor: Sen. Mitchell

w/d	Committee on Energy, Utilities & Technology
DP	Committee on Counties and Municipalities
DPA	Committee on Ways and Means
dpa	Caucus and COW
DPA	Third Read
X	As Passed the House

SB 1330 authorizes the governing body of an improvement district to levy equally apportioned property taxes. Allows real property owners to petition an improvement district’s governing body to levy either ad valorem or equally apportioned property taxes. SB 1330 also sets lighting standards for public buildings and requires shielding for outdoor light fixtures.

History

Special taxing districts are funded by ad valorem property taxes levied on all property within the district limits. A special taxing district levy is a secondary levy and is based on the full cash valuation of the property. Statute requires these taxes to be assessed at the same time and in the same manner as county taxes.

SB 1330 allows the governing body of an improvement district for public lighting the option to assess property on an equal apportionment basis. This bill also allows real property owners to petition the governing body of the applicable district to levy either ad valorem or equally apportioned property taxes. A fiscal note has been prepared and there is no impact to the state general fund.

In 1986, the legislature adopted Laws 86, Chapter 236, in an effort to reduce the amount of light pollution interfering with the successful operation of astronomical observatories located within the state.

Provisions

Lighting Standards

· Requires state, university, and community college buildings to comply lighting systems to the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America Lighting Handbook. Also requires cities and town to comply, except when using low pressure sodium lamps.

Improvement Districts

· Authorizes the governing body of an improvement district for public lighting the option to levy property taxes by an equal apportionment based on the number of the properties within the district.

· Requires the governing body of an improvement district to publish notice of the statements and estimates of district expenses.

· Allows real property owners to petition the governing body to levy ad valorem or equally apportioned taxes.

· Requires the governing body of an improvement district to approve property tax petitions, pending receipt of the required number of qualifying signatures.

· Provides that method of property taxation adopted in district petitions will take affect on a date prescribed by the governing body of the applicable improvement district.

· Allows the governing body of an improvement district to levy equally apportioned taxes based on property classification as well as the number of properties.

Shielding Light

· Repeals exemption for shielding streetlight fixtures when shielding is not available from the manufacturer and requires shielding for all streetlight fixtures installed after the act is passed.

·

·

· ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

· 45th Legislature

· Second Regular Session 2 June 4, 2002

·

· ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------