A gross production tax equal to five percent (5%) of the gross value of all ores bearing uranium, as that term is defined in the preceding section, that are mined or produced in this state, is hereby levied.
(a) The tax hereby levied shall apply and attach immediately upon ore bearing uranium being mined or produced, provided the ore is mined or produced for the purpose of obtaining uranium or is in fact so used. The tax shall be measured by the gross value of the ore at the time and place same is mined or produced.
(b) The payment of the taxes herein imposed shall be in full, and in lieu of all taxes by the state, counties, cities, towns, school districts and other municipalities upon any property rights attached to or inherent in the right to ore upon producing leases for the mining ores bearing uranium, upon the uranium rights and privileges to the uranium aforesaid belonging or appertaining to land, upon the machinery, appliances and equipment used in and around any mine producing ore and actually used in the operation of such mine; and also upon the ores bearing uranium hereinbefore mentioned during the tax year in which the same is produced, and upon any investment in any of the leases, rights, privileges, minerals or other property hereinbefore in this paragraph mentioned or described; and any interest in the land, other than that herein enumerated, and ores bearing uranium which are mined, (produced) and on hand at the date as of which property is assessed for general and ad valorem taxation for any subsequent tax year, shall be assessed and taxed as other property within the taxing district in which such property is situated at the time.
(c) No equipment, material or property shall be exempt from the payment of ad valorem tax by reason of the payment of ad valorem tax by reason of the payment of the gross production tax as herein provided except such equipment, machinery, tools, materials or property as is actually necessary and being used and in use in the production of ores bearing uranium; and it is expressly declared that no ice plants, hospitals, office buildings, garages, residences, gasoline extractions or absorption plants, water systems, fuel systems, rooming houses and other buildings, nor any equipment or material used in connection therewith shall be exempt from ad valorem tax.
(d) The State Board of Equalization, upon its own initiative, may, and upon complaint of any person who claims that he is taxed too great a rate hereunder shall, take testimony to determine whether the taxes herein imposed are greater, or less, than the general ad valorem tax for all purposes would be on the property of such producer subject to taxation in the district or districts where the same is situated and also the value of ore, or of the mining ore rights, the machinery, equipment or appliances used in the actual operation of in and around any such mine, the value of the ore produced and any other element of value in lieu of which the tax herein is levied. The said Board shall have power and it shall be its duty to raise or lower the rate herein imposed to conform thereto. An appeal may be had from the decision fo the State Board of Equalization thereon, by any person aggrieved to the Supreme Court, in like manner and with like effect as provided by law in other appeals from said Board to said Court; provided, that after such tax has been collected and distributed or paid without protest, no complaint with reference to rate thereof shall be heard or considered.
Laws 1963, c. 365, § 2; Laws 1965, c. 215, § 2.