1. (1) In counties with populations of more than 75,000, the value adjustment board shall appoint special magistrates to take testimony and make recommendations on petitions filed with the value adjustment board. Special magistrates shall be selected from a list maintained by the board clerk of qualified individuals who are willing to serve. When appointing special magistrates, the board, board attorney, and board clerk shall not consider any assessment reductions recommended by any special magistrate in the current year or in any previous year. The process for review of complaints of bias, prejudice, or conflict of interest regarding the actions of a special magistrate shall be as provided in subsection 12D-9.022(4), F.A.C.
2. (2) In counties with populations of 75,000 or less, the value adjustment board shall have the option of using special magistrates. The department shall make available to such counties a list of qualified special magistrates.
3. (3) A person does not have to be a resident of the county in which he or she serves as a special magistrate.

4. (4) The special magistrate must meet the following qualifications:

   1. (a) A special magistrate must not be an elected or appointed official or employee of the county.
   2. (b) A special magistrate must not be an elected or appointed official or employee of a taxing jurisdiction or of the State.
   3. (c) During a tax year in which a special magistrate serves, he or she must not represent any party before the board in any administrative review of property taxes.

   4. (d) All special magistrates must meet the qualifications specified in Section 194.035, F.S.

      1. A special magistrate appointed to hear issues of exemptions, classifications, portability assessment difference transfers, changes of ownership under Section 193.155(3), F.S., changes of ownership or control under Section 193.1554(5), or 193.1555(5), F.S., or a qualifying improvement determination under Section 193.1555(5), F.S., must be a member of The Florida Bar, must have at least five years of experience in the area of ad valorem taxation, and must receive training provided by the department. Alternatively, a member of The Florida Bar with at least three years of experience in ad valorem taxation and who has completed board training provided by the department including the examination, may serve as a special magistrate.

      2. A special magistrate appointed to hear issues regarding the valuation of real estate shall be a state certified real estate appraiser, must have at least five years of experience in real property valuation, and must receive training provided by the department. Alternatively, a state certified real estate appraiser with at least three years of real estate valuation experience and who has completed board training provided by the department including the examination, may serve as a special magistrate. A real property valuation special magistrate must be certified under Chapter 475, Part II, F.S.

      a. A Florida certified residential appraiser appointed by the value adjustment board shall only hear petitions on the just valuation of residential real property of one to four residential units and shall not hear petitions on other types of real property.

      b. A Florida certified general appraiser appointed by the value adjustment board may hear petitions on the just valuation of any type of real property.

      3. A special magistrate appointed to hear issues regarding the valuation of tangible personal property shall be a designated member of a nationally recognized appraiser’s organization, must have at least five years of experience in tangible personal property valuation, and must receive training provided by the department. Alternatively, a designated member of a nationally recognized appraiser’s organization with at least three years of experience in tangible personal property valuation and who has completed board training provided by the department including the examination, may serve as a special magistrate.

      4. All special magistrates shall attend or receive an annual training program provided by the department. Special magistrates substituting two years of experience must show that they have completed the training by taking a written examination provided by the department. A special magistrate must receive or complete any required training prior to holding hearings.

5. (5) (a) The value adjustment board or board legal counsel must verify a special magistrate’s qualifications before appointing the special magistrate.
6. (b) The selection of a special magistrate must be based solely on the experience and qualification of such magistrate, and must not be influenced by any party, or prospective party, to a board proceeding or by any such party with an interest in the outcome of such proceeding. Special magistrates must adhere to Rule 12D-9.022, F.A.C., relating to disqualification or recusal.

Rulemaking Authority 194.011(5), 194.034(1), 195.027(1) FS. Law Implemented 194.011, 194.032, 194.034, 194.035 FS. History–New 3-30-10, Amended 9-19-17, Technical Change 1-29-26.