Whereas, the Constitution of Maine requires all real and personal property to be assessed according to its just value; and

Whereas, the appropriate method to determine the just value of major industrial properties is too often a matter of significant dispute; and

Whereas, the resources of the municipal taxpayers, the State Board of Property Tax Review, the State's courts and the industrial owners are expended in the disposition of these disputes; and

Whereas, it is incumbent on the State, the municipalities where major industrial properties are located and all parties with interest in the assessment of industrial properties to attempt to develop a framework of assessing standards and methods for industrial properties that may be used as the adequate and appropriate assessing standards and methods under a rebuttable presumption; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Group established. Resolved: That the Industrial Property Assessing Methods Group, referred to in this resolve as "the group," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Group membership; chair. Resolved: That the group consists of 5 members appointed as follows:

1. Two members appointed by the President of the Senate:

A. One representative from the Maine Chapter of the International Association of Assessing Officers; and

B. One representative from the Maine Association of Assessing Officers;

2. Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House:

A. One representative from the Maine State Chamber of Commerce; and