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Rep. Toman proposes 30-year primary-residence tax credit; League of Cities urges caution
Summary
Representative Nathan Toman presented House Bill 15 60 to create a long‑term homeowner credit for primary residences occupied 30 years or more; the North Dakota League of Cities testified in opposition, citing broad exemptions and unclear provisions.
Representative Nathan Toman introduced House Bill 15 60, which would create a credit for homeowners who occupy a primary residence for 30 years or longer and would apply after other credits, such as the homestead credit. "If you stay in your home for 30 years ... the value of the credit would be equal to your balance of what's owed on your property tax," Representative Nathan Toman told the House Finance and Taxation Committee.
The bill as drafted would limit the credit with an $18,000 cap, a detail the sponsor acknowledged during questioning. Representative Vicki Steiner warned the proposal could distort the housing market by encouraging longtime owners to remain in starter homes. "You're incentivizing them to stay there," Steiner said during committee questioning.
Bill Woken, appearing on behalf of the North Dakota League of Cities, urged the committee to recommend Do Not Pass on House Bill 15 60. Woken told the committee the measure creates a large parcel‑based exemption tied to ownership longevity, and said the bill applied only to homes with a taxable value of up to $16,000 — which he estimated corresponds roughly to a $400,000 market value. He also raised operational questions about continued exemptions when an owner moves into institutional housing, or when a property is leased or transferred.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about when the 30‑year clock would start (for example, after inheriting a property), and Woken said he would need to review the bill’s text to answer. There was no formal committee vote recorded on House Bill 15 60 at this hearing; the committee closed the hearing after opposition testimony and moved to the next item.
The bill remains at the hearing stage with proponents saying it targets relief for long‑term homeowners and opponents citing fiscal and administrative concerns.
