General Assembly Raised Bill No. 362 proposes significant revisions to the statutes governing municipal property tax assessments in Connecticut, with a focus on enhancing efficiency and accuracy. Key changes include extending the deadline for towns to submit digital parcel files to regional councils of governments from May 1, 2019, to September 1, 2027, and requiring annual reports from these councils to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management by October 1, 2027, regarding towns that fail to comply. The bill also updates notification methods for property reevaluations from certified mail to electronic means and mandates that municipalities provide assessed valuation information by April 1 each year. Additionally, it establishes a committee for the training and certification of assessment personnel, with a notable change in membership requirements, replacing the need for an Office of Policy and Management employee with the Secretary or their designee.

Further amendments include the introduction of new assessment criteria for various property types, such as farm and open space land, and modifications to the assessment of motor vehicles, including a new depreciation schedule. The bill also expands property tax exemptions for veterans, allowing for retroactive tax abatements and clarifying the application process by designating assessors as the responsible authority instead of tax collectors. Overall, Raised Bill No. 362 aims to modernize property tax assessment practices, streamline processes for taxpayers and assessors, and ensure that veterans receive the benefits they are entitled to, while implementing a clear timeline for these changes to take effect.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 12-19b, 12-20b, 12-40a, 12-62g, 12-120c