Discussion on HB 295’s property‑tax treatment of certain transmission property; motion for due‑pass moved and later tabled

The committee discussed House Bill 295, a measure on property‑tax treatment of real property used in transmission projects owned by a named entity (as presented to the committee). The sponsor and witnesses referenced an updated analysis from the Taxation and Revenue Department (TRD). A TRD analyst said the department’s updated analysis cites provisions of the property‑tax code and concurred with case‑level guidance that, in the department’s view, property is assessed to the owner and that such definitions would include owners but not lessees.

Nut graf: Sponsors urged the committee not to rehash prior debate and said the updated TRD analysis supported the bill’s approach. Committee members moved a due‑pass motion but committee business recorded that the motion was ultimately tabled during roll call confusion.

Key points

- TRD analysis: Committee heard that TRD’s updated fiscal and statutory analysis is on the record and that it addresses how the property‑tax code defines ownership and assessment responsibilities.

- Sponsor position: The sponsor said the bill is intended to align tax treatment with existing exemptions and to support transmission construction efforts.

Action

Representative Lundstrom moved for a due‑pass recommendation; a second was recorded. The committee called the roll and at the conclusion of discussion the chair announced the motion had been tabled.

Ending: The committee did not advance HB 295 at this hearing; sponsors and TRD witnesses said the updated analysis supported the sponsor’s statutory reading and members requested no further rehash of prior debate.