The division of property assessments must carry out specified assessment-related duties and may enter land, or seek a court order to enter if entry is refused, and it has an unconditional right to intervene in contested cases before the state board of equalization.
The division of property assessments, under the supervision of the comptroller of the treasury, and subject to such policies, rules and regulations as may be adopted by the state board of equalization, has and shall perform the following duties, to: Supervise and direct all reappraisals and revaluation programs to the cost of which the state of Tennessee contributes; Prescribe rules and regulations approved by the comptroller of the treasury and not otherwise reserved for the state board of equalization and not inconsistent with laws that relate to the administration of the duties of assessors of property; Prepare, furnish and require the use by assessors of such forms as may be required for the administration of the duties of assessors of property, and approve all forms, schedules and reports used by assessors and sent to taxpayers for reporting real or personal property; Obtain evidence, information and statistics relative to the value of property to be assessed and equalized; Require assessors to furnish reports under oath, giving specific information relating to assessments and other facts concerning properties and facts pertaining to the administration of the duties of the office of assessor; Effect the assessment of all property in the state in accordance with the state constitution and all statutory provisions. The comptroller of the treasury shall exercise all powers conferred upon the comptroller of the treasury by law to the end that assessments in every taxing jurisdiction may be in accordance with the law; Make an annual report, approved by the comptroller of the treasury, to the state board of equalization, with an appropriate summary of the work accomplished by the division, and make such recommendations to the state board of equalization as it may deem appropriate; Assist the state board of equalization in the preparation of an assessment manual or manuals for the appraisal, classification and assessment of property for use by local assessors in making their assessments of particular classes or parcels of property, including the assessment of various kinds of personal property owned and used by corporations, partnerships and individuals engaged in business or professions for profit; Assist the state board of equalization in conducting the educational and training courses for state and local assessing officials approved by the state board of equalization; Require that counties or other taxing jurisdictions take whatever steps deemed necessary by the state board of equalization to assure that reappraisal and revaluation programs are maintained and updated in accordance with instructions, policies, rules and regulations as adopted by the state board of equalization; At the direction of the state board of equalization, provide assessment services for any municipality which lies within the boundaries of two (2) or more counties and which has contracted for such services with the state board of equalization under § 67-1-307(a) and (b); and At the direction of the state board of equalization, provide for the appraisal of leasehold interests, mineral interests, or other fractional interest in any county which has petitioned for such assistance to the state board of equalization under § 67-1-307(a) and (b). The division of property assessments has the authority to go upon land in order to obtain information for the assessment of such property. If the landowner refuses or objects to entry upon the landowner's land, the division may petition the circuit or chancery court for an order allowing entry at a specified time for purposes of appraising the land and improvements for assessment purposes. The division of property assessments shall have the unconditional right to intervene in any contested case before the state board of equalization and shall have standing and be recognized as a party under the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5. This unconditional right to intervene shall be liberally construed in favor of the division of property assessments and the intervention and participation in any contested case before the state board of equalization shall not be limited in any manner except as otherwise agreed to by the division of property assessments.