House Bill 987

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF A COUNTY AND/OR THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF A MUNICIPALITY TO GRANT A PARTIAL AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION FOR AGRICULTURAL PROPERTY THAT IS BEING CONVERTED TO A RESIDENTIAL USE IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ASSESSED VALUE OF THE PROPERTY FOR AGRICULTURAL USE AND THE ASSESSED VALUE OF THE PROPERTY FOR RESIDENTIAL USE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE EXEMPTION SHALL END WHEN THE PROPERTY IS OCCUPIED BY A HOMEOWNER; TO PROVIDE THE MANNER IN WHICH A REQUEST FOR SUCH EXEMPTION MUST BE MADE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The board of supervisors of a county and/or the governing authorities of a municipality may provide partial ad valorem tax exemptions on land used for agricultural purposes that is converted to a residential use as provided in this section.

(2) For agricultural property that is converted to residential use, the board of supervisors of a county and/or the governing authorities of a municipality may exempt the assessed value of the property in an amount equal to the difference between the assessed value of the property for agricultural use and the assessed value of the property for residential use. The exemption authorized to be granted under this section shall end at such time as the property is occupied by a homeowner; however, if the property consists of a number of parcels upon which residences are being constructed, the exemption shall continue for each parcel until the residence constructed upon the parcel is occupied by a homeowner.

(3) Any request for an exemption under this section shall be in writing and contain such information about the property for which the exemption is being requested as the board of supervisors of the county and/or the governing authorities of the municipality may require. The granting of the exemption shall be recorded in the minutes of the board of supervisors of the county and/or the governing authorities of the municipality.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.