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Revenue committee discusses senior property tax deferral transfers, outreach amendment
Summary
During a May 6 work session the House Revenue Committee reviewed three related bills affecting senior property tax deferral and senior housing funds, discussed a one-time outreach appropriation and carried the bills over for a future motion.
The House Committee on Revenue held a work session May 6 to review three related measures affecting senior housing and the homestead property tax deferral program: House Bill 3589 A, House Bill 3506 A (with a -3 amendment), and House Bill 3712 (dash 1 amendment described).
Committee staff summarized each proposal. HB 3589 A would transfer an estimated $4 million of excess funds from the Senior Property Tax Default Revolving Account to the Senior Housing Development Initiative in January 2026, require an annual solvency review beginning in 2027, and sunset the transfers on July 1, 2031, with a subsequent referral to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.
HB 3506 A (dash 3) would transfer an estimated $3 million in January 2026 for senior and disabled housing, including accessibility modifications, and would appropriate $150,000 from the revolving account to the Department of Revenue to establish an outreach program; the committee’s discussion clarified the outreach appropriation is intended as one-time contract funding to develop messaging and materials for intermediaries that reach seniors and people with disabilities.
HB 3712 (dash 1) would increase homestead program income eligibility from $60,000 to $70,000, raise the real market value limit to 50% of county median for homeowners with residency of 15 years or less, and require a legislative revenue officer study on homestead equity with a report due September 2026.
Representative Smith and others emphasized ensuring the smallest counties can access the new funds and that outreach reach the intermediaries who come in contact with seniors (housing counselors, accountants, insurance agents, senior service agencies). The committee carried the three bills over to a future meeting for possible motions; no committee votes were taken during the May 6 session.
Committee members and staff described the outreach appropriation as a one-time contract to develop program materials and messaging and not as permanent DOR staffing. The intent is to improve awareness in communities and among professionals who regularly interact with seniors and disabled homeowners so eligible households can learn about deferral and housing resources.
