MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Wells-Smith

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 73-34-5, 73-34-11, 73-34-15 AND 73-34-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE REAL ESTATE APPRAISER LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION ACT SHALL APPLY ONLY TO FEDERALLY RELATED TRANSACTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 73-34-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-34-5. (1) Except as otherwise provided for in this section, it shall be unlawful for anyone to engage in real estate appraisal activity for federally related transactions in this state without first obtaining one (1) of the four (4) real estate appraiser licenses as provided in this chapter.

(a) Any person who is engaged in real estate appraisal activity on July 1, 1990, shall continue through June 30, 1991, to be subject to the provisions of the Real Estate Brokers License Law of 1954, but, thereafter, all real estate appraisal activity for federally related transactions shall be governed by and licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. However, if the United States Congress or the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council extends the effective date for the use of certified or licensed appraisers in federally related transactions, then the above date of June 30, 1991, shall be extended to the date immediately preceding such extended effective date. In addition, if such appraisal subcommittee waives any requirement relating to certification or licensing of persons to perform appraisals in Mississippi, then such waiver shall also be effective in Mississippi under the Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act and such requirement shall be waived by the Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board until the waiver is terminated by the appraisal subcommittee. The Mississippi Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board shall waive or modify statutory minimum requirements for hours of courses of study and provide by regulation for applicants who desire to do so to challenge the examinations, or one or some of them, by taking an examination on such courses without actually taking such courses, if such waivers or modifications are allowed or allowable under law or regulations adopted and promulgated by the United States Congress or the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council.

(b) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any director, officer or salaried employee of commercial banks, savings banks, credit unions, and savings and loan associations, when engaged in appraisal or evaluation activities for and on behalf of such financial institution unless there is a fee charged for the appraisal or evaluation; provided that a federal statute, rule or regulation does not require such appraisal or evaluation activities to be performed by a state licensed appraiser.

(c) This section shall not be construed to apply to individuals who do not render significant professional assistance in arriving at a real estate appraisal analysis, opinion or conclusion. Examples of the type of assistance which are not considered "significant professional assistance" under this section include the following: (i) assistance in obtaining the data upon which the appraisal is based; (ii) assistance in the physical preparation of the appraisal report (such as taking photographs, preparing charts, maps or graphs, or typing or printing the report); and (iii) any other assistance that does not directly involve the exercise of judgment in arriving at the analysis, opinions or conclusions concerning real estate or real property set forth in the appraisal report.

(2) This chapter shall not apply to a real estate broker or salesperson licensed by this state who, in the ordinary course of his business, gives an opinion as to the price of real estate for the purpose of a prospective listing or sale; provided, however, that this opinion as to the listing price or the sale price shall not be referred to as an appraisal and provided, further, that no compensation, fee or other consideration is charged for such opinion other than the real estate commission or brokerage fee that is charged or paid for brokerage services rendered in connection with the sale of the real property involved.

(3) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any state, county, or municipal public officers or their salaried employees while performing their duties as such.

(4) No license shall be issued under the provisions of this chapter to a corporation, partnership, firm or group.

(5) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to individuals performing timber cruises, valuation on timberland real estate appraisals for nonfederally related transactions.

SECTION 2. Section 73-34-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-34-11. No person other than a licensed certified real estate appraiser under this chapter shall assume or use that title or any title, designation or abbreviation likely to create the impression of certification as a real estate appraiser by this state.

An individual who has qualified as a licensed certified real estate appraiser under this chapter is authorized to prepare and sign a certified appraisal report relating to real estate or real property in this state. An individual who has not qualified as a licensed certified real estate appraiser under this chapter shall not prepare or sign any appraisal or appraisal report relating to real estate or real property for federally related transactions in this state using the term "State Certified Appraisal Report" unless the report is also signed by a licensed certified real estate appraiser.

SECTION 3. Section 73-34-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-34-15. A person licensed as a real estate appraiser is authorized to appraise all types of real estate and real property in this state, including but not limited to, commercial, industrial, residential and special purpose, provided that such appraisal does not involve federally related transactions which would require a certified appraisal as provided by this chapter.

SECTION 4. Section 73-34-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-34-19. The following shall be the two (2) classes for licensed certified real estate appraisers and one (1) class for licensed timberland appraisers:

(a) Licensed certified residential real estate appraiser. The licensed certified residential real estate appraiser classification shall consist of those persons who meet the requirements that relate to the appraisal of residential real property of one (1) to four (4) units without regard to transaction value or complexity. In addition, when nonfederally related transactions are involved, the licensed certified residential real estate appraiser shall enjoy the same privileges as set forth for the licensed real estate appraiser, except as otherwise provided by this chapter.

(b) Licensed certified general real estate appraiser. The licensed certified general real estate appraiser classification shall consist of those persons who meet the requirements relating to the appraisal of all types of real estate.

(c) Licensed timberland real estate appraiser. The licensed timberland real estate appraiser classification shall consist of those persons who meet the requirements that relate to the appraisal of timberland.

Each application for licensing as a licensed certified real estate appraiser, or for the renewal of a license, and each application to take an examination, shall specify the classification of licensing being applied for and, if applicable, the class of license previously granted. Each applicant shall be trustworthy and competent to transact the business of real estate planning and comply with such other requirements as may be prescribed by the board.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.