Changes in SB 762 repealed part of the current rules on State Forestry Fire Protection costs to property owners. The law allowed “the forester may consider and include the special or additional cost of fire protection for property owners within a forestland-urban interface classification, including the special or unique costs of assessment processing and administration.” The law also said “and may not exceed $25 annually for each real property lot. Only those owners of land within a forestland-urban interface classification in a forest protection district shall bear the special or additional cost of fire protection within the forestland-urban interface in a manner consistent with rules promulgated by the State Board of Forestry.”
The changes made by SB 762 removed the $25 cap for annual assessment. The Bill also added that if a budget for fire protection is exceeded, the amount may be added to the next budget that is levied against the property owners. The law also states that the cost for fire protection to be a lien against property. If you cannot pay your taxes for fire protection, you may lose your property by foreclosure.
We have asked for a full understanding of the tax implications of this bill but have not received a clear answer. At this time we can only read the text as written, not knowing how this will be applied. See Section 42 and 43 of the Bill and also see the position of Senator Dennis Linthicum on this matter
https://mailchi.mp/electdennis/smoke_mirror_tactics_0808-15689921?e=7dddf2b8bd