CA AB2415

Property Tax Agents must register with the Secretary of State beginning January 1, 2016, and cannot represent taxpayers before county officials without registration starting April 1, 2016.

Registration requires a $100 application fee and includes background checks for felony/misdemeanor convictions, tax law violations, dishonesty offenses, and revoked professional licenses within the past 10 years.

Property Tax Agents are prohibited from making gifts or campaign contributions to county officials, using false representations, attempting to influence officials through threats or coercion, and aiding unregistered agents.

Violations are misdemeanors and subject Property Tax Agents to civil penalties up to $1,500 per violation, suspension, or termination of registration; the Secretary of State must maintain public lists of registered agents and those subject to cease and desist orders.

The law preempts all local ordinances regarding Property Tax Agent registration, though counties may still regulate campaign contributions through local ordinance.