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Lawmakers consider automatic cap on year-to-year property-tax increases for homeowners; amendment to extend benefit to renters withdrawn
Summary
Representative Sam Myers presented House File 403 to create a property-tax credit that would limit a homeowner's year-to-year tax increase to no more than 8% after an initial county application.
Representative Sam Myers told the committee House File 403 is designed to provide targeted property-tax relief for homeowners—particularly seniors—who face steep year‑to‑year increases in property tax bills.
"Under this bill, the homeowner would make an initial application to the county to receive the [credit]," Myers said. He explained the mechanism: once a homeowner has applied, the credit would automatically limit an owner's tax increase to no more than 8% of the prior year when an annual tax increase exceeded that threshold.
Chair Gomez introduced an amendment, H0402DE1, intended to extend the underlying bill's benefit to tenants by adjusting the state's assumption about the share of rent attributable to property taxes. Chair Gomez said the DE1 would allow renters to receive the benefit in recognition that many seniors live in rental housing and face housing‑cost pressure.
After discussion the author withdrew the amendment. "I withdraw the amendment," Chair Gomez said, noting committee members' concerns and urging continued consideration of renters' needs in related policy work.
Representative Lee and other members asked clarifying questions. Lee noted an existing senior deferral program and suggested outreach about current options while the committee evaluates broader statutory changes. The author said the bill intentionally had no income cap to start with and that the provision could be scaled.
Action: The committee moved House File 403 forward. Representative Myers moved that House File 403 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill. Chair Gomez's DE1 amendment was withdrawn and was not adopted.
Why it matters: The bill would create an automatic mechanism to protect homeowners from sudden, unaffordable increases in property tax bills by capping year-over-year increases for participating homeowners. The withdrawn amendment—and related member questions—kept renters and underutilized senior options in focus as committee staff and the author consider next steps.
What's next: The bill was laid over for possible omnibus inclusion; the author and committee members signaled willingness to refine eligibility, income limits and outreach details.
