Rating: +1

Bill Summary:
Senate Bill 1216 (2025) updates Idaho Code § 63-208 to enhance the accuracy, equity, and transparency of property tax assessments across the state. The bill requires county assessors to ensure that the assessed market value of all property categories falls within 90% to 110% of actual market value, using statistically valid methods such as confidence intervals. Additionally, the assessed values across different property categories must not deviate from one another by more than five percentage points, enforcing uniformity in taxation practices.

The legislation clarifies that when the cost approach is used to value depreciable property, assessors must use reproduction or replacement cost less depreciation, rather than historic cost. For income-producing properties, the bill allows assessors to use one or more appraisal methods but explicitly prohibits factoring in inflated “contract rent” or any value associated with exempt intangible personal property under Idaho Code § 63-602L. Importantly, upon request, assessors must provide property owners with the exact calculations used in the valuation process.

The act takes effect January 1, 2026.

Reason for Rating:
S1216 advances core Idaho Republican Party Platform priorities by enforcing fairness, uniformity, and transparency in property taxation (Article XV, Section 1). It ensures that taxpayers—especially commercial and income-property owners—are assessed based on true market conditions rather than inflated or arbitrary figures. The exclusion of intangible property from the tax base upholds the platform’s call for a limited and constitutionally appropriate tax structure (Article I, Section 1F). Moreover, the bill improves accountability by requiring assessors to disclose valuation details, empowering taxpayers to verify the fairness of their assessments. By protecting property owners and tightening assessment equity across property classes, this bill earns a positive rating.

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