Joint Revenue Committee Meeting Summary (August 5, 2003)

The Joint Revenue Committee met on August 5, 2003 in Casper.  The Committee met with the Taxpayer Working Group that has been developing proposals for property tax relief.  The Committee considered legislation related to the group’s work, but did not elect to have draft legislation prepared on the issue at this meeting.  The Committee requested that a group in Johnson County working on property tax relief address the Committee at its next meeting.  The Department of Revenue provided an update on the CAMA system that will be implemented in various counties to assess property taxes.  The Department of Revenue explained issues related to ad valorem tax payments to counties.  The Department provided highlights of a Wyoming Supreme Court case related to the right of counties to appeal valuation methodologies implemented by the Department. 

The Department of Revenue explained confidentiality issues related to the use of information from one taxpayer for the purpose of valuing minerals of another taxpayer.  The Department also provided an update on the streamlined sales tax project.  The Committee received an update on the funds within the Permanent Mineral Trust Fund and directed staff to draft a resolution thanking Governor Hathaway and the Legislature for creating the Fund.  The Committee heard testimony related to the valuation of bentonite and requested that the Department of Revenue and members of the mineral industry meet and provide a report to the Committee at a future meeting.  The Committee received information regarding the railroad’s successful court challenge of the coal transport tax.  The Committee voted to sponsor legislation to repeal the tax on railroads.  The Committee’s next meeting will be in Cheyenne on September 24-25, 2003.