Classification of Corporations for Purposes of Assessment Assessment of Railroads, Express Companies, etc. Gross Earnings Plan, No Recommendation Assessment of Light, Heat and Power Companies Taxation of Foreign Insurance Companies Assessment at Full Value or Percentage of Full Value Is Percentage Basis Authorized by North Dakota Constitution? No Practical Advantage, if County Assessor Plan is Adopted Effect of Increased Valuation on Salaries of County Officers.... Table Showing Salaries of County Officers Effect of Increased Valuation on Maximum Levies One Mill Maintenance Tax of State Educational Institutions Digest of State Laws Relating to County Assessor System. LAW CREATING NON-PARTISAN TAX COMMISSION. AN ACT to create a Permanent Non-Partisan Tax Commission, Defining its Powers and Duties and Making an Appropriation for the Maintenance Thereof. Be it Enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of North Dakota: § 1. Tax Commission. Creation of.]-There is hereby created a state Board to be designated and known as the tax commission. 2. Appointment of. Term of Office Defined.-Said tax commission shall be composed of three commissioners, who shall be appointed by the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate. Of such three persons, one shall be appointed and designated to serve for a term ending on the first Monday in May, 1915, one for a term ending on the first Monday in May, 1917, and one for a term ending on the first Monday in May, 1919, each of said terms to begin upon the qualification of the person appointed therefor. Upon the expiration of the terras of the three commissioners first to be appointed as aforesaid, each successive commissioner shall be appointed and hold his office for the term of six years, except in case of a vacancy as hereinafter provided, and such commissioner shall hold his office until his successor shall have been appointed and qualified. 3. Vacancies. How Filled. After the appointment of said first three commissioners, and except when appointed to fill a vacancy, each commissioner shall be appointed on or before the last Monday in January, during the biennial session of the legislature, next preceding the commencement of the term for which he shall be appointed. In case of vacancy, it shall be filled by appointment by the governor for the unexpired portion of the term in which such vacancy shall occur, subject to confirmation by the senate. If such appointment be made when the legislature is not in regular session, the appointee shall hold his office until the third Monday in January in the next biennial session of the legislature, when if such appointment is not confirmed by the senate, the office shall become vacant, and, on or before the last Monday in February, the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint a suitable person to fill such vacancy for the remainder of such term. 4. Qualification Of.-The persons to be appointed as members of such commission shall be such as are known to possess knowledge of the subject of taxation and skill in matters pertaining thereto. So far as practicable, they shall be so selected that the board will not be composed wholly of persons who are members of, or affiliated with, the same political party, or organization. No person appointed as such commissioner shall hold any other office under the laws of this state or any office under the government of the United States, or of any other state. Each such commissioner shall devote his entire time to the duties of the office, and shall not hold any position of trust or profit, engage in any occupation, or business interfering with or inconsistent with his duties, or serve on, or under, any committee of any political party. 5. Oath. Salary.-Each commissioner, within thirty days after notice of his appointment, and before entering upon the discharge of the duties of his office, shall take, subscribe, and file with the secretary of state, the oath of office prescribed by law. Each of said commissioners shall receive an annual salary of three thousand dollars, payable in the same manner that salaries of other state officers are paid. 6. Organization. Salary of Secretary. Quorum. Place of Meeting. The commissioners first appointed under this act, after having duly qualified, shall without delay meet at the capitol at Bismarck and shall thereupon organize by electing a secretary who shall receive a salary of not more than two thousand four hundred dollars per annum. The member having the shortest term to serve, except when serving without the approval of the senate, shall be the chairman of the commission. A majority of said commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the performance of the duties of the commission. The said commission shall be in continuous session, and open for the transaction of business every day, except Sundays, and legal holidays; and the sessions of such commission shall stand, and be deemed to be adjourned from day to day, without formal entry thereof upon its records. The commission may hold sessions, or conduct investigations at any place other than the capitol when deemed necessary to facilitate the performance of its duties. Individual members of the commission may, upon direction of said commission, likewise, conduct hearings and investigate at any other place than the capitol. 7. Assistants. Appointment and Salary. Rules. The commission may, in addition to secretary provided for in section six of this act, also employ such other persons as clerks, stenographers and experts as may be necessary for the performance of the duties required of the commission. The commission shall fix the compensation of such secretary, clerks, stenographers and experts employed by them, but the total amount expended for that purpose shall not exceed six thousand dollars per annum. The secretary shall keep full and correct minutes of all hearing, trans |