SB912: Bill Text

LRB-5929/2

JK&EVM:ahe&cjs

2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE

2019 Senate BILL 912

March 26, 2020 - Introduced by Senator Jacque, cosponsored by Representative Wichgers, by request of Wisconsin Towns Association. Referred to Committee on Local Government, Small Business, Tourism and Workforce Development.

SB912,1,3 An Act to renumber 60.11 (2) (b); to amend 70.47 (1); and to create 60.11 (2) (b) 2. of the statutes; relating to: postponing the annual town meeting and the meeting of the boards of review.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, towns, cities, and villages annually convene a meeting of the board of review to hear objections to local assessments. The board must meet during the 45-day period beginning on the fourth Monday in April, but no sooner than seven days after the last day on which the property tax assessment roll is open for public examination. This bill allows a city, village, or town to postpone the meeting of its board of review so that it does not occur during the period covered by a public health emergency declared by the governor.

Also under current law, towns are required to hold an annual town meeting. The town meeting must be held on the third Tuesday of April, except that the town may set another date within ten days after the third Tuesday of April. This bill allows a town board or, if the town board is unable to promptly meet, the town chair to postpone the town meeting so that it does not occur during the period covered by a public health emergency declared by the governor.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB912,1 Section 1. 60.11 (2) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 60.11 (2) (b) 1.

SB912,2 Section 2. 60.11 (2) (b) 2. of the statutes is created to read:

SB912,2,6 60.11 (2) (b) 2. The town board or, if the town board is unable to promptly meet, the town chair may postpone the annual town meeting to a date that is not during a period covered by a public health emergency declared under s. 323.10, including any extension under s. 323.10.

SB912,3 Section 3. 70.47 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB912,2,21 70.47 (1) Time and place of meeting. The board of review shall meet annually at any time during the 45-day period beginning on the 4th Monday of April, but no sooner than 7 days after the last day on which the assessment roll is open for examination under s. 70.45, except that a city, village, or town may postpone the meeting of its board of review so that it does not occur during a period covered by a public health emergency declared under s. 323.10, including any extension under s. 323.10. In towns and villages the board shall meet at the town or village hall or some place designated by the town or village board. If there is no such hall, it shall meet at the clerk's office, or in towns at the place where the last annual town meeting was held. In cities the board shall meet at the council chamber or some place designated by the council and in cities of the 1st class in some place designated by the commissioner of assessments of such cities. A majority shall constitute a quorum except that 2 members may hold any hearing of the evidence required to be held by such board under subs. (8) and (10), if the requirements of sub. (9) are met.

SB912,2,22 (End)