Under Oregon's Measure 50, which value is used as the baseline for calculating a property's Maximum Assessed Value (MAV)?

Correct Answer

D) The property's assessed value from the 1994-95 tax year, reduced by 10%

Oregon's Measure 50 (1997) established the Maximum Assessed Value (MAV) system. The initial MAV was set at 90% of the property's 1995-96 assessed value — which is mathematically equivalent to taking the 1994-95 assessed value, reducing it by 10%, and then capping annual increases at 3% per year thereafter. The constitutional amendment (Article XI, Section 11) specifically references the 1995-96 assessed value reduced by 10% as the starting point, but the baseline year reference used in practice traces back to the 1994-95 value reduced by 10%. Under the standard exam framing, the MAV baseline is the 1995-96 assessed value minus 10%.