Representative Mack introduces bill to raise property tax cap for Louisiana seniors

The Louisiana Legislature's Ways and Means Committee convened on May 12, 2025, to discuss significant changes to property tax assessment laws affecting senior citizens. The primary focus of the meeting was a proposed bill aimed at allowing seniors to freeze the assessed value of their property, regardless of their income level.

Representative Mack introduced the bill, highlighting the current limitation that prevents seniors earning over $100,000 from freezing their property tax assessments. He shared a personal anecdote about helping his elderly father renew his fishing license, drawing a parallel to the proposed legislation that seeks to provide financial relief to seniors on fixed incomes. The bill aims to remove the income cap, enabling all seniors to benefit from a frozen assessment value.

However, the proposal faced opposition from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, represented by Jim Patterson. Patterson expressed concerns that removing the cap could lead to significant changes in property valuation, potentially impacting the business community and taxpayers. He noted that the income threshold had previously been raised from $50,000 to $100,000 five years ago, indicating a cautious approach to further adjustments.

In a collaborative effort, Patterson proposed an amendment to the bill that would establish a new income cap of $150,000, which he argued would still assist many seniors while addressing the concerns of the business community. This amendment was reportedly agreeable to other stakeholders involved in the discussion.

Additionally, the committee discussed delaying the implementation of a cost-of-living increase related to property assessments until 2028, allowing for a smoother transition for the proposed changes. The amendment also included provisions to ensure that any decrease in tax revenue resulting from the new assessment rules would not create additional tax burdens for other taxpayers.

The committee's discussions reflect ongoing efforts to balance the needs of senior citizens with the economic implications for the broader community. The proposed changes will be further evaluated, with the potential for a vote in the coming weeks.