Ways and Means OKs amendment letting parsonage rental income offset pastor housing allowance; 15-1

The Ways and Means Committee on Monday adopted an amendment to House Bill 291 that would allow churches to apply net income from renting a parsonage to a pastor’s housing allowance. The committee voted 15-1 to approve the amendment and then voted 15-1 on the bill as amended; the measure was placed on the consent calendar.

The amendment (identified in committee as 2025-1925h) replaces sections 1 and 2 of the bill and narrows the proposal to permit a church that rents a parsonage or similar clergy residence to apply the property’s net rental income — after expenses such as repairs and insurance — to a pastor’s housing allowance. The bill’s implementation date in section 3 remains in place (committee discussion referenced July 1, 2025, as the implementation date). The amendment was moved and seconded in committee and carried by roll call.

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