Senate hears bill to cut property taxes 50% for Ohioans 65 and older

Senator Catrona presented sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 206, a proposal to reduce property taxes by 50% for homeowners age 65 and older.

Catrona told the Senate Ways and Means Committee the measure would apply to all eligible residents regardless of income and that the state would hold local governments harmless by reimbursing the revenue loss. He said the aim is to provide immediate relief to seniors on fixed incomes and that policy details like income thresholds could be adjusted later if needed.

Committee members questioned the fiscal impact and distributional effects. Chair Blessing raised concerns about a cliff effect typical of income‑tested benefits; Catrona replied the bill was deliberately not income‑tested to avoid such cliffs. Sen. O'Brien and others asked who would pay; Catrona estimated roughly $1.5 billion in fiscal impact without policy changes and said the money could be found in the state budget, citing examples such as state funding levels for libraries. O'Brien asked for a precise dollar estimate; Catrona said he had requested a Legislative Services Commission fiscal analysis.

Committee members also asked whether eligibility would require any length of home ownership; Catrona said the bill applies to residents who are 65 and older and that he would clarify language to ensure it applies to a primary residence only. No vote was taken; the bill received sponsor testimony and committee questions.