A bill to prevent certain discriminatory taxation of natural gas pipeline property.

To prevent certain discriminatory taxation of natural gas pipeline property. 1. Limitation on discriminatory taxation of natural gas pipeline property (a) Definitions In this Act: (1) Assessment The term assessment (2) Assessment jurisdiction The term assessment jurisdiction (3) Commercial and industrial property The term commercial and industrial property (4) Natural gas pipeline property The term natural gas pipeline property (5) Public utility property The term public utility property (b) Discriminatory acts A State, subdivision of a State, authority acting for a State or subdivision of a State, or any other taxing authority (including a taxing jurisdiction and a taxing district) may not do any of the following: (1) Assessments Assess natural gas pipeline property at value that has a higher ratio to the true market value of the natural gas pipeline property than the ratio that the assessed value of commercial and industrial property in the same assessment jurisdiction has to the true market value of such commercial and industrial property. (2) Assessment taxes Levy or collect a tax on an assessment that may not be made under paragraph (1). (3) Ad valorem taxes Levy or collect an ad valorem property tax on natural gas pipeline property at a tax rate that exceeds the tax rate applicable to commercial and industrial property in the same assessment jurisdiction. (4) Other taxes Impose any other tax that discriminates against a natural gas pipeline providing transportation or storage of natural gas subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 2. Jurisdiction of courts; relief (a) Grant of jurisdiction Notwithstanding section 1341 of title 28, United States Code, and without regard to the amount in controversy or citizenship of the parties, the district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction, concurrent with other jurisdiction of the courts of the United States, of States, and of all other taxing authorities and taxing jurisdictions, to prevent a violation of section 1. (b) Relief in general Except as provided in this subsection, relief may be granted under this Act only if the ratio of assessed value to true market value of natural gas pipeline property exceeds by at least 5 percent the ratio of assessed value to true market value of commercial and industrial property in the same assessment jurisdiction. If the ratio of the assessed value of commercial and industrial property in the assessment jurisdiction to the true market value of commercial and industrial property cannot be determined to the satisfaction of the court through the random-sampling method known as a sales assessment ratio study (to be carried out under statistical principles applicable to such a study), each of the following shall be a violation of section 1 for which relief under this Act may be granted: (1) An assessment of the natural gas pipeline property at a value that has a higher ratio of assessed value to the true market value of the natural gas pipeline property than the ratio of the assessed value of all other property (excluding public utility property) subject to a property tax levy in the assessment jurisdiction has to the true market value of all other property (excluding public utility property). (2) The collection of an ad valorem property tax on the natural gas pipeline property at a tax rate that exceeds the tax rate applicable to all other taxable property (excluding public utility property) in the taxing jurisdiction.

Summary: This bill prohibits states, political subdivisions, and any other taxing authority from: (1) assessing natural gas pipeline property at a value that has a higher ratio to its true market value than the ratio used to assess other commercial and industrial property in the same assessment jurisdiction, (2) levying or collecting a tax on such an assessment, (3) levying or collecting an ad valorem property tax on natural gas pipeline property at a rate that exceeds the rate applicable to other commercial and industrial property in the same assessment jurisdiction, or (4) imposing any other tax that discriminates against a natural gas pipeline providing transportation or storage subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The bill: (1) grants jurisdiction to U.S. district courts to prevent violations of this Act, and (2) sets forth criteria governing relief for claims relating to violations of this Act.