Conference committee outlines election, Astra fund and budget changes in omnibus tax bill draft

Conference committee members reviewed and largely agreed on substantive provisions written into the conference draft of bill 02/2025, a multi‑part tax and local government package that includes a property‑tax funding limit, the creation of an Astra fund, election timing rules for taxing jurisdictions that seek to exceed new limits, and several administrative changes to budget and tax notice procedures.

The staff explanation summarized major elements: 02/2025 would create a property‑tax funding limit with a 4% ceiling before the limit takes effect, require taxing entities to notify their county clerks by June 1 if they intend to exceed that limit, and require county clerks to place such questions on the August primary ballot in even‑numbered years. In odd‑numbered years the question would appear on the primary ballot if a primary exists within any part of the taxing unit; if no primary exists within the unit’s territory, counties would have the option to hold a mail‑ballot election on Sept. 15 under the mail‑ballot statute the staff referenced.

Astra fund and allocations

- The draft creates an Astra fund with an initial state general‑fund transfer of $60,000,000 in the first year, increasing by 2% each subsequent year. - The fund would be apportioned across the state’s 105 counties; each county’s share would…