Committee declines to advance assessment‑rate cap after debate over taxpayer relief and local revenue

Representative Sucla presented HB 12‑09 to cap the state assessment rate at 4 percent, saying recent valuation and assessment changes after the repeal of the Gallagher Amendment led to steep increases in property tax bills that threaten fixed‑income homeowners.

Supporters described families and seniors facing sharp increases in assessed value and urged relief: resident Natalie Menton told the committee the cap would protect low‑income and fixed‑income property owners from rapidly escalating property‑tax bills. The sponsor noted examples of constituents facing large increases and argued the cap would help allow low‑income residents to remain in place without resorting to nursing‑home care.

Opponents, including the League of Women Voters, urged rejection, saying the bill would limit local governments' ability to raise necessary revenue for locally provided services and that the proposal is inflexible across jurisdictions. Committee members asked about stakeholder outreach and potential fiscal impacts for counties, special districts and school districts. Some members expressed sympathy for affected homeowners but also noted the need to preserve local revenue and the difficulty of replacing funds.

A recorded vote on the sponsor's motion to move the bill to appropriations was reported as failing (9‑4 against moving). The committee then accepted a motion to postpone HB 12‑09 indefinitely on a reverse roll call, removing it from further action in this committee for the session.