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Tax committee rejects senior property‑tax exemption bill after amendments and tables it
Summary
Lawmakers amended HB 461 to add a market‑value reset and an income cap (150% of the federal poverty level), but objections over missing fiscal analysis and overlap with existing programs led to a failed final vote and the bill’s tabling.
The committee considered House Bill 461, a proposal to create a property‑tax exemption with newly adopted amendments setting a new base year when market value drops and capping eligibility at households with income not exceeding 150% of the federal poverty level.
Miss Moore explained the first amendment would set the new market value as the base year value if the property’s market value dropped. She later described the second amendment, which adds an eligibility requirement that household income not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level. Both amendments passed by voice vote with the clerk announcing 21 ayes and 0 noes.
During debate Representative Close objected, saying the committee had no fiscal note on the bill and noting that existing senior property‑tax relief programs already operate; "I'm not sure it makes sense to set up an entirely new structure rather than just work with the existing tax structures for property relief," he said and announced he would vote no. Representative Rivas likewise said he would be a "reluctant no," citing the complexity of property‑tax reform and the range of comprehensive bills the committee is considering.
The committee then took a roll‑call vote on HB 461 as twice amended; the clerk recorded 6 ayes and 15 noes and the bill did not pass. A motion to table followed and was adopted (21–0), so HB 461 was tabled in committee.
Next steps: HB 461 is tabled; the transcript records concerns about missing fiscal analysis and program overlap that proponents would need to address before the bill can advance.
