The state House of Representatives has unanimously backed a local legislator’s proposal to require local governments to notify property owners annually of their property tax assessments.

House Bill 1139, written by state Rep. James Mills, R-Chestnut Mountain, passed the House of Representatives with a unanimous vote Wednesday.

The bill requires local governments to notify property owners of their annual property tax assessments even when there is no change.
The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.

“This bill allows individuals to make an appeal of valuations for property tax purposes available to all property owners, even when home values do not increase,” Mills said in a statement. “Currently, assessed value notices do not have to be sent out if home values stay the same. If they are not sent out, there is no right to appeal.”

The bill will also change the way property tax bills look.

If it becomes law, the bill will require each ad valorem property tax bill to contain a check box that property owners can mark to serve as the official appeal of their assessed values for the following tax year.

The bill will also require local governments to place a section on the bill for taxpayers to declare what they think the true value of their home is. Mills also said the bill streamlines the property tax appeals process and ensures property owner rights.