(a) (1) The board shall proceed with the surveys of the assessment procedures and practices in the 10 largest counties and cities and counties as rapidly as feasible, and shall repeat or supplement each survey at least once in five years.

(2) The surveys of the 10 largest counties and cities and counties shall include a sampling of assessments on the local assessment rolls as described in Section 15640. The 10 largest counties and cities and counties shall be determined based upon the total value of locally assessed property located in the counties and cities and counties on the lien date that falls within the calendar year of 1995 and every fifth calendar year thereafter.

(b) The board shall, commencing January 1, 2016, and each of the next four calendar years, do all of the following:

(1) (A) Survey the assessment procedures of one qualified county or city and county and conduct a sample of assessments on the local assessment roll of another qualified county or city and county.

(B) For purposes of this paragraph, “qualified county or city and county” means the 11th to the 20th, inclusive, largest counties and cities and counties. The 11th to the 20th, inclusive, largest counties and cities and counties shall be determined based upon the total value of locally assessed property located in the counties and cities and counties on the lien date that falls within the calendar year of 2015 and every fifth calendar year thereafter.

(C) The qualified counties and cities and counties shall be stratified and selected at random by the board, in consultation with the California Assessors’ Association.

(2) (A) Survey the assessment procedures of three qualified counties or cities and counties and conduct a sample of assessments on the local assessment roll of two other qualified counties or cities and counties.

(B) For purposes of this paragraph, “qualified counties or cities and counties” means the 21st to the 58th, inclusive, largest counties and cities and counties. The 21st to the 58th, inclusive, largest counties and cities and counties shall be determined based upon the total value of locally assessed property located in the counties and cities and counties on the lien date that falls within the calendar year 2015 and every fifth calendar year thereafter.

(3) Conduct a sample of assessments on the local assessment roll in a county or city and county that the board determines has significant assessment problems pursuant to Section 75.60 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

(C) The qualified counties and cities and counties shall be stratified and selected at random by the board, in consultation with the California Assessors’ Association.

(c) The statewide surveys which are limited in scope to specific topics, issues, or problems may be conducted whenever the board determines that a need exists to conduct a survey.

(d) When requested by the legislative body or the assessor of any county or city and county to perform a survey not otherwise scheduled, the board may enter into a contract with the requesting local agency to conduct that survey. The contract may provide for a board sampling of assessments on the local roll. The amount of the contracts shall not be less than the cost to the board, and shall be subject to regulations approved by the Director of General Services.

(e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2021, and as of that date is repealed.

(Amended (as amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 404, Sec. 1) by Stats. 2017, Ch. 561, Sec. 82. (AB 1516) Effective January 1, 2018. Repealed as of January 1, 2021, by its own provisions. See later operative version added by Sec. 2 of Stats. 2015, Ch. 404.)