Department of Revenue Director Brett Fanning told the Joint Appropriations Committee the property tax refund (PTR) program is means‑tested and administratively intensive and that last year the department distributed nearly $15 million under the PTR program. The department submitted a request for two years of funding to the committee; the governor’s recommendation, Fanning said, was for one year of funding.

Fanning and his staff explained the program’s workload assumptions: the department estimates roughly 1,000 applications equate to about $1 million in program outlays and that with the new 25% owner‑occupied attestation provision implemented this year, demand and accounting flows could change. As of the hearing, the department reported about 29,000 confirmed owner‑occupied attestations against an estimated eligible base of roughly 140,000 owner‑occupied homes after excluding those who received a 50% long‑term homeowners exemption.

Committee members asked whether the department or the legislature should take responsibility for public outreach; Fanning said the department is doing outreach but noted internal discussion on whose role broader advertising should be. Legislators also asked about the possibility of making the long‑term homeowner 50% exemption permanent; department staff confirmed the committee had considered legislation to remove the sunset on that exemption.

Why it matters: PTR decisions affect many homeowners and require timely funding to ensure eligible households receive refunds. The committee discussed timing for supplemental appropriations if demand grows because of ballot measures or legislative outcomes.

What's next: The department and state budget staff said the supplemental budget could be used if demand exceeds the funded amount and the department will provide further analysis if the committee wants more precise application and cost forecasting.