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Committee reviews Little Compton homestead exemption that would start at 10% and allow automatic qualification for registered voters
Summary
Rep. McGaugh presented H 7047 to let Little Compton establish a homestead exemption starting at 10% in year one, with a 5–15% range thereafter based on town finances; the bill would automatically grant the exemption to owner‑occupants who are registered voters while non‑registered residents could apply.
Representative McGaugh introduced H 7047, a local bill carried at the request of Little Compton's town council to create a homestead exemption for owner‑occupied residential dwellings. The sponsor said the plan would start at a 10% exemption in the first year, with subsequent percentages (5%–15%) determined by town finances and actions at the town financial meeting.
Sponsor explained the bill's administrative design: residents who both own and reside in a dwelling and are registered voters would automatically qualify, while residents who meet residency requirements but are not registered voters could file an application with the tax assessor to receive the exemption. "The simplest way to identify who lives in the town is to look at the voter rolls," the sponsor said, noting the approach was chosen to maximize take‑up and reduce administrative burden on the assessor's office.
Committee members asked whether making the benefit automatic for registered voters is common; the sponsor said the committee reviewed other municipalities and did not find the specific automatic‑qualification approach elsewhere in Rhode Island but emphasized applicants who are not registered voters could still receive the exemption by applying. Town representatives, including Jim Locke, were noted as present and in support. The committee closed the hearing on H 7047.
