(1) Subject to ORS § 311.750, the taxpayer who has land situated in a disaster area and whose land is adversely affected by the disaster area may, on or before September 1 of each year, elect to defer the taxes levied on the land of the taxpayer for that year. To exercise the option, each taxpayer shall file a claim for deferral with the commissioners on or before September 1 of each year in which the taxpayer claims the deferral. The commissioners shall examine the application and certify that the taxpayer’s property is adversely affected by the disaster. After certifying that the property is adversely affected by the disaster, the commissioners shall forward the application to the Department of Revenue.

(2) When the taxpayer exercises an option to defer taxes for any year by filing a claim for deferral under subsection (1) of this section, it shall have the effect of deferring payment of the taxes levied against the land of the taxpayer for the period of time the area continues to be designated a disaster area. [1977 c.695 § 2]