The proposed bill, sSB1556, establishes the Connecticut Appeals Board for Property Valuation, which will operate under the Office of Policy and Management. This board will hear appeals from individuals who believe they have been wronged by municipal assessors in municipalities that opt for this state-level board instead of traditional local boards of assessment appeals. The board will consist of five members appointed by the Governor, with qualifications including extensive experience in property appraisal or assessment, and a chairperson who is a practicing attorney. The bill outlines the appeal process, requiring applications to be submitted within two months of the municipal assessor's action, and mandates that the board hold hearings and issue decisions within 90 days. Notably, the bill allows the municipality to collect up to 75% of the assessed tax during the appeal process and includes provisions for transferring pending matters from existing boards to the new board.

Additionally, the bill introduces a process for individuals aggrieved by the board's decisions to appeal to the Superior Court within two months of receiving the decision. The court can award costs and reimburse applicants for overpaid taxes if the assessment is reduced. The bill also includes new operational requirements for the board, such as the ability to assign certain applications to a single board member for hearings and the authority to add omitted taxable properties to the grand list. The effective date of the bill is contingent upon certification by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management that the board will begin accepting applications. Key insertions in the bill include the establishment of the Connecticut Appeals Board and the specific appeal process, while deletions involve outdated language from current law.