1. As used in this section:

(a) “Program” means the state program established by NRS 705.425 for the physical preservation, in place, of property of certain lines of railroad while service on such lines is discontinued.

(b) “Property” means the trackage and other operating rail properties of a line of railroad.

(c) “Taxes accrued” means the taxes (exclusive of special assessments, delinquent taxes and interest) levied on the property of a line of railroad which are due and payable during July, immediately succeeding the date on which the owner of the property files a claim for an allowance under this section.

2. The owner of property which is placed upon the tax roll and has been admitted to the program by the Department of Transportation is entitled to an allowance equal to the taxes accrued against such property.

3. A claim for an allowance under the program may be filed with the assessor of the county in which the claimant’s property is located between January 15 and April 30, inclusive. The claim must be made under oath or affirmation and filed in such form and content and accompanied by such proof as the Department may prescribe. The county assessor shall furnish the appropriate form to each claimant.

4. The county assessor shall, within 10 days after receiving a claim, determine the assessed valuation of the property to which the claim applies and submit the claim to the Department. The Department shall examine the claim and may obtain from the Department of Transportation any information necessary to verify whether the line of railroad which is the subject of the claim has been admitted to the program, and if so, the date of admission and the identification of the owner of the line.

5. The Department shall grant or deny each claim and shall notify both the claimant and the county assessor of its decision not later than June 30.

6. If the claim is granted, the county assessor immediately shall notify the auditor and ex officio tax receiver of the county, who shall make such adjustments with respect to the tax roll and the claimant’s tax bill as are necessary to carry into effect the allowance granted to the claimant.

7. The ex officio tax receiver of the county shall send to the Department a statement showing the allowances granted pursuant to this section. Upon verification and audit of the allowances, the Department shall authorize reimbursement to the county by the State from money appropriated for that purpose.

8. The Department shall adopt such regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

9. Any person who willfully makes a materially false statement on a claim filed under this section or produces false proof, and as a result of such false statement or false proof an allowance is granted to a person not entitled to the allowance, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

(Added to NRS by 1979, 563)