Finance committee rejects last-minute amendment to replace HB1176 with broader homestead tax cut; lawmakers to consider negotiated alternative

Members of the House Finance and Tax Committee debated a proposed amendment that would have replaced House Bill 11 76 with a direct homestead tax credit set at 60% of the primary-residence property tax (a variant of proposals to reduce property-tax burdens). Representative Steiner moved the late-filed amendment, saying he preferred a 70% credit but had chosen 60% to match available funding and to avoid requiring homeowners to apply annually.

Representative Thalmann seconded the motion for discussion. Committee chair Representative Hedlund said leadership and other stakeholders had been working on a different package and said he would oppose the late replacement; he said he planned to offer a collaborative amendment developed with leadership, the governor’s office and interested parties and asked that the committee not adopt Representative Steiner’s text.

After debate the committee voted on Representative Steiner’s amendment and defeated it by voice/roll call (the roll call recorded more nos than yeses). Representative Nehring and Representative Steiner voted in favor; most other members voted no. The chair then introduced his own amendment package in the transcript and described changes he had circulated; committee proceedings then moved into discussion of the chair’s replacement text.

Why it matters: The discussion illustrates competing approaches among lawmakers on property-tax relief — a simple, broad homestead credit vs. a more targeted, negotiated plan — and reflects pressure from members to act quickly while leadership aims to manage fiscal exposure and coordination between committees.

Ending

The committee did not finalize action on the bill in the excerpt captured; the chair indicated he would present a negotiated amendment and continue work.