Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) When used in this section, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this subdivision.

(b) "Local unit" means a home rule charter or statutory city, or a town.

(c) "Old rule utility net tax capacity" means the net tax capacity of all public utility property within the local unit's taxing jurisdiction for assessment year 2007, calculated as if the property were valued under valuation rules in effect prior to assessment year 2007.

(d) "New rule utility net tax capacity" means the net tax capacity of all public utility property within the local unit's taxing jurisdiction for assessment year 2007, calculated as if the property were valued under valuation rules in effect for assessment year 2007, but without any phase-in provisions.

(e) "Modified net tax capacity" means the local unit's net tax capacity for taxes payable in 2008, modified by substituting the old rule utility net tax capacity for the actual net tax capacity of utility property. Modified net tax capacity must be determined by the commissioner of revenue based on information and data available to the commissioner as of July 1, 2008.

(f) "Net tax capacity differential" means the positive difference, if any, by which the local unit's old rule utility net tax capacity exceeds its new rule utility net tax capacity.

(g) "Current year net tax capacity differential" means the positive difference, if any, by which the local unit's old rule utility net tax capacity exceeds its total tax capacity of utility property for taxes payable in the current year.

Subd. 2. Aid eligibility; payment. (a) If the net tax capacity differential of the local unit exceeds four percent of its modified net tax capacity, the local unit is eligible for transition aid computed under paragraph (b).

(b) For aids payable in 2010 and thereafter, transition aid under this section for an eligible local unit equals (1) the current year net tax capacity differential for taxes payable in the year preceding the aid distribution year, times (2) the jurisdiction's tax rate for taxes payable in 2008.

(c) The commissioner of revenue shall compute the amount of transition aid payable to each local unit under this section. On or before August 1 of each year, the commissioner shall certify the amount of transition aid computed for aids payable in the following year for each recipient local unit. The commissioner shall pay transition aid to local units annually at the times provided in section 477A.015.

Subd. 3. Appropriation. An amount sufficient to pay transition aid under this section is annually appropriated to the commissioner of revenue from the general fund.

History: 2008 c 366 art 2 s 10; 2015 c 21 art 1 s 89,90