Legislation to help counties conduct reassessments passed unanimously in the state Legislature Thursday, securing firmer guidance for a tricky political process.

Sponsored by state Sen. John R. Gordner, R-Columbia County, the legislation formally moves oversight of the State Tax Equalization Board to the Department of Community and Economic Development, granting it new powers and responsibilities.

Though the board's primary focus remains the same -- printing a yearly report for counties and school districts on whether or not their property tax assessments are out of whack with what houses actually sell for -- it's also been charged with coming up with standards for how counties should conduct reassessments.

The bill does not call for regular statewide reassessments, a measure some legislators say is necessary to keep the state on track with taxes.

First Published: March 23, 2013, 4:00 a.m.