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Committee rejects twice‑amended property tax exemption for low‑income homeowners; motion to table passes
Summary
The committee adopted two amendments to HB 461 — one tying a new base year to market declines and one setting an income eligibility at 150% of the federal poverty level — but the committee voted down the bill on roll call and then tabled it.
The House Taxation Committee considered House Bill 461, adopted two amendments and then voted against the bill on a roll call. Committee members later voted to table the measure.
Amendment 461.1.1 added a new subsection providing that if market value of property drops, the new market value would become the base‑year value for exemption calculations. Miss Moore, presenting the amendment, said, “amendment 1.1 adds a new subsection 2c on page 1 to provide that if the market value of the property drops that new market value would be the base year value used for the basis of the exemption.”
A second amendment (461.1.0.2) added an eligibility requirement limiting the exemption to households with income not exceeding 150% of the federal poverty level; Miss Moore summarized: “this amendment adds a provision ... requiring that the person have household income that does not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level to be eligible for this exemption.” Both amendments passed on voice votes.
When the committee moved to pass HB 461 as twice amended, Representative Close opposed the bill, citing the absence of a fiscal note and the existence of current senior property tax relief programs: “first we don't have a fiscal note on this and second there are existing programs for property tax relief for seniors ... I'm gonna vote no.” Several other members also expressed reservations. The roll call on the do‑pass motion was 6 ayes and 15 noes; the measure did not pass. A subsequent non‑debate motion to table HB 461 passed 21‑0.
The committee record shows substantive debate over fiscal impacts and whether a separate program structure is needed given existing relief efforts; committee members asked for fiscal clarity before supporting a new exemption structure.
