59-1-404. Definitions -- Confidentiality of commercial information obtained from a property taxpayer or derived from the commercial information -- Rulemaking authority -- Exceptions -- Written explanation -- Signature requirements -- Retention of signed explanation by employer -- Penalty.
(1) As used in this section: "Appraiser" means an individual who holds an appraiser's certificate or license issued by the Division of Real Estate underand includes an individual associated with an appraiser who assists the appraiser in preparing an appraisal. Title 61, Chapter 2g, Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act "Appraisal" is as defined in Section. 61-2g-102 "Commercial information" means: information of a commercial nature obtained from a property taxpayer regarding the property taxpayer's property; or information derived from the information described in this Subsection. (1)(c)(i) "Commercial information" does not include information regarding a property taxpayer's property if the information is intended for public use. In accordance with, for purposes of Subsection, the commission may by rule prescribe the circumstances under which information is intended for public use. Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act (1)(c)(ii)(A) "Consultation service" is as defined in Section. 61-2g-102 "Locally assessed property" means property that is assessed by a county assessor in accordance with. Chapter 2, Part 3, County Assessment "Property taxpayer" means a person that: is a property owner; or has in effect a contract with a property owner to: make filings on behalf of the property owner; process appeals on behalf of the property owner; or pay a tax under, on the property owner's property. Chapter 2, Property Tax Act "Property taxpayer's property" means property with respect to which a property taxpayer: owns the property; makes filings relating to the property; processes appeals relating to the property; or pays a tax under, on the property. Chapter 2, Property Tax Act "Protected commercial information" means commercial information that: identifies a specific property taxpayer; or would reasonably lead to the identity of a specific property taxpayer.
(2) An individual listed under Subsectionmay not disclose commercial information: 59-1-403(2)(a) obtained in the course of performing any duty that the individual listed under Subsectionperforms under; or 59-1-403(2)(a) Chapter 2, Property Tax Act relating to an action or proceeding: with respect to a tax imposed on property in accordance with; and Chapter 2, Property Tax Act that is filed in accordance with: this chapter;; or Chapter 2, Property Tax Act this chapter and. Chapter 2, Property Tax Act
(3) Notwithstanding Subsectionand subject to Subsection, an individual listed under Subsectionmay disclose the following information: (2) (3)(c) 59-1-403(2)(a) the assessed value of property; the tax rate imposed on property; a legal description of property; the physical description or characteristics of property, including a street address or parcel number for the property; the square footage or acreage of property; the square footage of improvements on property; the name of a property taxpayer; the mailing address of a property taxpayer; the amount of a property tax: assessed on property; due on property; collected on property; abated on property; or deferred on property; the amount of the following relating to property taxes due on property: interest; costs; or other charges; the tax status of property, including: an exemption; a property classification; a bankruptcy filing; or whether the property is the subject of an action or proceeding under this title; information relating to a tax sale of property; or information relating to single-family residential property. Notwithstanding Subsectionand subject to Subsection, an individual listed under Subsectionshall disclose, upon request, the information described in Subsection. (2) (3)(c) 59-1-403(2)(a) 59-2-1007(9) Subject to Subsection, a person may receive the information described in Subsectionorin written format. (3)(c)(ii) (3)(a) (b) The following may charge a reasonable fee to cover the actual cost of providing the information described in Subsectionorin written format: (3)(a) (b) the commission; a county; a city; or a town.
(4) Notwithstanding Subsectionand except as provided in Subsection, an individual listed under Subsectionshall disclose commercial information: (2) (4)(c) 59-1-403(2)(a) in accordance with judicial order; on behalf of the commission in any action or proceeding: under this title; under another law under which a property taxpayer is required to disclose commercial information; or to which the commission is a party; on behalf of any party to any action or proceeding under this title if the commercial information is directly involved in the action or proceeding; or if the requirements of Subsectionare met, that is: (4)(b) relevant to an action or proceeding: filed in accordance with this title; and involving property; or in preparation for an action or proceeding involving property. Commercial information shall be disclosed in accordance with Subsection: (4)(a)(iv) if the commercial information is obtained from: a real estate agent if the real estate agent is not a property taxpayer of the property that is the subject of the action or proceeding; an appraiser if the appraiser: is not a property taxpayer of the property that is the subject of the action or proceeding; and did not receive the commercial information pursuant to Subsection; (8) a property manager if the property manager is not a property taxpayer of the property that is the subject of the action or proceeding; or a property taxpayer other than a property taxpayer of the property that is the subject of the action or proceeding; regardless of whether the commercial information is disclosed in more than one action or proceeding; and if a county board of equalization conducts the action or proceeding, the county board of equalization takes action to provide that any commercial information disclosed during the action or proceeding may not be disclosed by any person conducting or participating in the action or proceeding except as specifically allowed by this section; if the commission conducts the action or proceeding, the commission enters a protective order or, in accordance with, makes rules specifying that any commercial information disclosed during the action or proceeding may not be disclosed by any person conducting or participating in the action or proceeding except as specifically allowed by this section; or Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act if a court of competent jurisdiction conducts the action or proceeding, the court enters a protective order specifying that any commercial information disclosed during the action or proceeding may not be disclosed by any person conducting or participating in the action or proceeding except as specifically allowed by this section. Notwithstanding Subsection, a court may require the production of, and may admit in evidence, commercial information that is specifically pertinent to the action or proceeding. (4)(a)
(5) Notwithstanding Subsection, this section does not prohibit: (2) the following from receiving a copy of any commercial information relating to the basis for assessing a tax that is charged to a property taxpayer: the property taxpayer; a duly authorized representative of the property taxpayer; a person that has in effect a contract with the property taxpayer to: make filings on behalf of the property taxpayer; process appeals on behalf of the property taxpayer; or pay a tax under, on the property taxpayer's property; Chapter 2, Property Tax Act a property taxpayer that purchases property from another property taxpayer; or a person that the property taxpayer designates in writing as being authorized to receive the commercial information; the publication of statistics as long as the statistics are classified to prevent the identification of a particular property taxpayer's commercial information; the inspection by the attorney general or other legal representative of the state or a legal representative of a political subdivision of the state of the commercial information of a property taxpayer: that brings action to set aside or review a tax or property valuation based on the commercial information; against which an action or proceeding is contemplated or has been instituted under this title; or against which the state or a political subdivision of the state has an unsatisfied money judgment; or the commission from disclosing commercial information to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Subsection. 59-12-205(6)
(6) Notwithstanding Subsection, in accordance with, the commission may by rule establish standards authorizing an individual listed under Subsectionto disclose commercial information: (2) Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act 59-1-403(2)(a) in a published decision; or in carrying out official duties; and if that individual listed under Subsectionconsults with the property taxpayer that provided the commercial information. 59-1-403(2)(a)
(7) Notwithstanding Subsection: (2) an individual listed under Subsectionmay share commercial information with the following: 59-1-403(2)(a) another individual listed in Subsectionor; or 59-1-403(2)(a)(i) (ii) a representative, agent, clerk, or other officer or employee of a county as required to fulfill an obligation created by; Chapter 2, Property Tax Act an individual listed under Subsectionmay perform the following to fulfill an obligation created by: 59-1-403(2)(a) Chapter 2, Property Tax Act publish notice; provide notice; or file a lien; or the commission may by rule, made in accordance with, share commercial information gathered from returns and other written statements with the federal government, any other state, any of the political subdivisions of another state, or any political subdivision of this state, if these political subdivisions or the federal government grant substantially similar privileges to this state. Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act
(8) Notwithstanding Subsection: (2) subject to the limitations in this section, an individual described in Subsectionmay share the following commercial information with an appraiser: 59-1-403(2)(a) the sales price of locally assessed property and the related financing terms; capitalization rates and related rates and ratios related to the valuation of locally assessed property; and income and expense information related to the valuation of locally assessed property; and except as provided in Subsection, an appraiser who receives commercial information: (4) may disclose the commercial information: to an individual described in Subsection; 59-1-403(2)(a) to an appraiser; in an appraisal if protected commercial information is removed to protect its confidential nature; or in performing a consultation service if protected commercial information is not disclosed; and may not use the commercial information: for a purpose other than to prepare an appraisal or perform a consultation service; or for a purpose intended to be, or which could reasonably be foreseen to be, anti-competitive to a property taxpayer.
(9) The commission shall: prepare a written explanation of this section; and make the written explanation described in Subsectionavailable to the public. (9)(a)(i) An employer of a person described in Subsectionshall: 59-1-403(2)(a) provide the written explanation described in Subsectionto each person described in Subsectionwho is reasonably likely to receive commercial information; (9)(a)(i) 59-1-403(2)(a) require each person who receives a written explanation in accordance with Subsectionto: (9)(b)(i) read the written explanation; and sign the written explanation; and retain each written explanation that is signed in accordance with Subsectionfor a time period: (9)(b)(ii) beginning on the day on which a person signs the written explanation in accordance with Subsection; and (9)(b)(ii) ending six years after the day on which the employment of the person described in Subsectionby the employer terminates. (9)(b)(iii)(A) In accordance with, the commission shall by rule define "employer." Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act
(10) An individual described in Subsectionor, or an individual that violates a protective order or similar limitation entered pursuant to Subsection, is guilty of a class A misdemeanor if that person: (1)(a) 59-1-403(2)(a) (4)(b)(iii) intentionally discloses commercial information in violation of this section; and knows that the disclosure described in Subsectionis prohibited by this section. (10)(a)(i) If the individual described in Subsectionis an officer or employee of the state or a county and is convicted of violating this section, the individual shall be dismissed from office and be disqualified from holding public office in this state for a period of five years thereafter. (10)(a) If the individual described in Subsectionis an appraiser, the appraiser shall forfeit any certification or license received under, for a period of five years. (10)(a) Title 61, Chapter 2g, Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act If the individual described in Subsectionis an individual associated with an appraiser who assists the appraiser in preparing appraisals, the individual shall be prohibited from becoming licensed or certified under, for a period of five years. (10)(a) Title 61, Chapter 2g, Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act
(11) Notwithstanding Subsection, for a disclosure of information to the Office of the Legislative Auditor General in accordance with: (10) Title 36, Chapter 12, Legislative Organization an individual does not violate a protective order or similar limitation entered in accordance with Subsection; and (4)(b)(iii) an individual described in Subsectionor: (1)(a) 59-1-403(2)(a) is not guilty of a class A misdemeanor; and is not subject to the penalties described in Subsectionsthrough. (10)(b) (d)