SB322 Summary

• Department of Revenue must provide county commissions with tax records and information related to severance tax collections from operators in their counties, with information treated as confidential by the county commission.

• County commissions may request Department of Revenue conduct audits of mine and quarry operators subject to severance tax, with counties responsible for audit costs if the audit finds all taxes were properly paid.

• Department must impose interest and penalties on unpaid delinquent severance taxes, with one-half of collected interest and penalties retained by the department and one-half distributed to the county.

• Changes penalties from criminal Class C misdemeanor to civil penalties of $1,000 per offense for failure to make returns, pay taxes, or furnish required information; maintains Class C felony for fraudulent returns.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.