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Committee advances HB 309 to give county budget commissions expanded review of local levies
Summary
The committee accepted a substitute to House Bill 309, which aligns the bill with budget language and gives county budget commissions clearer authority to review and, in limited circumstances, reduce tax rates (with a one‑year protection for new voter-approved levies). Supporters said it increases local accountability; critics warned the standard is broad.
Chairman Romer’s House Ways and Means Committee accepted a substitute for House Bill 309 after testimony and debate that focused on the measure’s changes to county budget commission authority.
Vice Chair Thomas, who moved the substitute, said the dash‑3 version brings HB 309 into conformity with the language approved in the budget and highlighted a provision that generally prevents a commission from decreasing a voter‑approved tax rate during the first year of collection. "This essentially makes a drive with what…
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