Current through 2024 Regular Session legislation effective June 6, 2024
Section 308A.465 - Inspection by holder; disqualification; notice; requalification; additional tax(1) Land that is receiving conservation easement special assessment shall be inspected by a holder periodically to ensure that:(a) The land is managed in accordance with the terms of the conservation easement to which the land is subject;(b) The conservation easement continues to meet the requirements of ORS 308A.453(2)(a); and(c) The holder complies with subsection (2) of this section.(2)(a) Every three years, or more frequently if requested in writing by the county assessor, the holder shall provide written certification to the county assessor that the land is being managed in accordance with the terms of the conservation easement to which the land is subject and that the conservation easement continues to meet the requirements of ORS 308A.453 (2)(a).(b) If, upon inspection, the holder determines that the land is not being managed in accordance with the terms of the conservation easement to which the land is subject or that the conservation easement no longer meets the requirements of ORS 308A.453 (2)(a), the holder shall notify the landowner and require compliance measures to be taken within six months or a reasonable shorter period if permitted by the terms of the conservation easement. If the plan is still not being implemented as required by the holder at the end of the six-month period or applicable shorter period, the holder shall notify the county assessor that the land is not being managed in accordance with the terms of the conservation easement to which the land is subject.(3) If the landowner has claimed a federal income tax deduction under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code and the claim is disallowed because the contribution on which the claim is based is not a qualified conservation contribution under section 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, the landowner and holder shall immediately notify the county assessor of the disallowance.(4) The county assessor shall disqualify the land from conservation easement special assessment upon: (a) Failure of the holder to provide the certification described in subsection (2)(a) of this section within 90 days following the close of the three-year period or the date of the written request, whichever is earlier;(b) Notice from the holder as described in subsection (2)(b) of this section;(c) Notice from the landowner or holder as described in subsection (3) of this section;(d) Notice of request for withdrawal by the landowner of the land from conservation easement special assessment;(e) Sale or transfer to an ownership making the land exempt from ad valorem property taxation;(f) The land qualifying for another special assessment listed in ORS 308A.706 (1)(d); or(g) The act of recording a subdivision plat under ORS chapter 92.(5) If, pursuant to subsection (4)(g) of this section, the county assessor disqualifies land for conservation easement special assessment upon the act of recording a subdivision plat, the land may requalify for conservation easement special assessment upon: (a) Payment of all additional tax and interest that remain due and owing as a result of the disqualification;(b) Compliance with ORS 308A.450 to 308A.465; and(c) Submission of an application for conservation easement special assessment under ORS 308A.456 and approval of the application by the county assessor.(6) Upon disqualification, the county assessor shall compute an additional tax under ORS 308A.700 to 308A.733.