By Mr. Festa of Melrose, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2898) of Michael E. Festa and others relative to the valuation of utility property.  Revenue.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Michael E. Festa

Richard R. Tisei

Ronald Seaboyer

Stephen Stat Smith

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act relative to the valuation of utility property.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 39 of chapter 59 as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition is hereby amended by inserting the word “Electric” before the word “Telephone” in the title.

SECTION 2. Section 39 of chapter 59 as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition is hereby amended by striking the first sentence and inserting in place thereof the following:- Assessment of all telephone and telegraph companies equipment above or below ground level shall be assessed by the individual companies of the Commonwealth.  The value of the individual equipment items will be determined by the Commissioner of Revenue of the Commonwealth at the time of enactment of this Act.  The individual companies shall reassess the value of the equipment within each community annually in accordance with the commercial rate approved by each of the individual communities.  The assessors of the individual communities shall receive and verify the quantity of equipment of each telephone and telegraph company in their community given to the assessor by the Commissioner of Revenue at the time of enactment of this Act.  Thereafter, each community’s assessor will keep true and accurate records of all telephone and telegraph equipment that is updated, replaced or added within the boundaries of the community.