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Ways and Means moves HB 1,800 to interim study after wide-ranging debate on 'swept' property tax
Summary
The House Ways and Means Committee voted 16–1 to interim study HB 1,800, a bill that would reshape the statewide 'swept' education property tax. Sponsor Rep. Spilsbury urged study to revert the tax to a statewide pool, increase the swept amount, create targeted credits and add a COLA to adequacy figures; opponents warned of local tax impacts.
Representative Spilsbury told the committee he did not believe HB 1,800 was yet ready for passage and urged an interim study to refine its mechanics and values. "I'm gonna ask that you interim study it," he said, outlining five concepts that would, in his view, make the swept function more equitably: revert the swept tax to a statewide pool, increase the amount collected (he noted the swept has been at $363,000,000 for 15 years), create three targeted credits, adjust the adequacy formula and add a cost-of-living adjustment for adequacy figures.
Members pressed Spilsbury on details and consequences. Representative Southworth asked whether universal educational financial allowances would be affected; Spilsbury said the bill was not intended to directly change EFA but acknowledged incidental impacts. Representative Hopel criticized a proposal to give credits to homeowners without school-age children, arguing there is a civic obligation to support public education; Spilsbury replied the break would be modest and local education levies remain intact.
Representative Schamberg bluntly opposed even interim study based on revenue worries, warning the bill could increase property taxes by moving from the current swept level to levels he described as generating $1.7–$1.8 billion in revenue and a change in the tax rate that could raise homeowner bills. The sponsor and several members countered that the aim of interim study was to model and test values and administrative mechanics rather than send a final plan to voters.
On the procedural motion, Representative Ford moved to interim study HB 1,800; Representative Bill Burger seconded. The clerk recorded what the chair announced as a 16 to 1 roll call for interim study; Representative Schamberg said he would prepare a minority report. The committee left the door open to fall study and to consultations with Department of Education and Department of Revenue Administration staff.
The committee also discussed related bills (HB 1787 and Representative Luno's measure) and encouraged coordinated study to avoid duplicative subcommittees. The committee chair said written modeling and draft amendments could follow the interim study process.
Next steps: HB 1,800 will be carried as interim study and the sponsor asked for committee collaboration and technical assistance in the fall to test formulas and administrative procedures.
