Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildfire Tax Relief topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate committee advances SB 663 to extend tax deadlines and exemptions for wildfire victims
Summary
SB 663, an urgency measure presented by Senator Allen, would extend deadlines for filing misfortune-and-calamity claims and rebuilding timelines for properties damaged in the January wildfires and would preserve nonprofit welfare exemptions while properties are rebuilt; the committee voted to send the bill to Appropriations.
Senator Allen presented Senate Bill 663, an urgency measure that would extend multiple property tax timelines and preserve tax-exempt status for nonprofits whose properties were damaged or destroyed in the January wildfires. The Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation voted to pass the bill to the Committee on Appropriations.
Allen described SB 663 as urgent tax relief to ease recovery for victims of the January wildfires, which he called among the most destructive in state history. He said the bill would extend the deadline to file misfortune-and-calamity claims from 12 to 24 months, extend the time to rebuild so property owners can retain their base year value from five to eight years, and extend welfare exemptions for eligible nonprofit properties for up to eight years so long as reconstruction is planned.
“SB 663 is an urgency measure to provide immediate tax relief to ease the recovery and rebuild for victims of the January wildfire,” Senator Allen said. He cited nearly 20,000 structures damaged or destroyed in the region and said the bill aims to address burdens homeowners and nonprofits face while navigating insurance, permitting and rebuilding.
Joaquin Torres, chair of the California Assessors Association legislative committee and San Francisco County assessor, testified in support on behalf of the association and relayed endorsements from county assessors and other local officials. Torres said the bill’s extensions of filing deadlines and rebuild windows are important because “time matters” for property owners trying to restore homes and businesses.
Committee members praised the bill as a way to give victims more time to rebuild and to preserve nonprofit exemptions during long reconstruction periods. After discussion, the committee moved SB 663 as amended to the Committee on Appropriations; roll call recorded Senators McNerney, Valadares, Ashby, Grayson and Umberg voting aye.
Discussion vs. decision: committee discussion emphasized the urgency for more time to file claims and rebuild and noted special provisions for nonprofit welfare exemptions; the formal action was passage to Appropriations for fiscal review.
Votes at a glance SB 663 — Motion: pass as amended to Committee on Appropriations. Outcome: passed (roll call recorded as McNerney — aye; Valadares — aye; Ashby — aye; Grayson — aye; Umberg — aye).
