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AARP Ohio and Council on Aging back bill to shield seniors from property-tax foreclosure; committee narrows measure
Summary
Supporters from AARP Ohio and the Council on Aging told the House Ways and Means Committee that HB443 would help older Ohioans remain in their homes by allowing payment plans or requiring only the prior year's payment to avoid foreclosure; the committee accepted a narrowing amendment.
Ben Webb, associate state director for AARP Ohio, urged the House Ways and Means Committee to advance House Bill 443, saying the measure would give older Ohioans a chance to work with county treasurers to avoid losing their homes. "House Bill 443 provides older Ohioans with the reassurance that if they begin to struggle with staying in their homes, they will have the opportunity to work with their county treasurer on a payment plan," Webb said.
The committee held HB443's second hearing and accepted an amendment offered by Vice Chair Thomas that narrows eligibility. Thomas described the change as moving from a broad "good faith" payment test to a requirement that a senior homeowner pay what they paid the previous year to avoid foreclosure. "This amendment narrows the bill to state that ... the senior homeowner would need to pay what they paid in the previous year in order to prevent that foreclosure," Thomas said; the amendment drew no voiced opposition and was accepted by the committee.
Nan Cahall, government relations director for the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio, testified in support of the narrowed bill, describing the agency's work to keep older residents in their homes. Cahall said COA's programs prevent or delay nursing-home care for more than 27,000 individuals in its region and contended the bill would reduce the rising tax burden on older homeowners. "I think this is a really great step forward to leveling the playing field for these older adults who are on limited income," Cahall told the panel.
Committee members pressed witnesses on related policy tools. Ranking member Troy asked whether AARP supports broader homestead exemptions; Webb replied that AARP does support expanding the homestead exemption and other relief such as circuit breakers and deferred-payment options, but said more work is needed. Representative Rogers asked how long the delinquency and foreclosure process takes; Cahall said she is not an attorney but that the process can be lengthy and that homeowners often live in fear while their cases proceed.
The committee also debated penalties and interest on delinquent property taxes. The chair said he believed the statutory penalty is 10 percent with interest "just under 7%" in his reading; another member said effective rates can be higher in practice because of compounding and county practices. Members agreed to seek clarification on statutory rates and county variations rather than resolve the question on the spot.
The clerk noted written testimony submitted by county treasurers and advocacy groups, including the Warren County Treasurer, the Lake County Treasurer, Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio, and the Area Agency on Aging representative Dante Giancola. With no further in-person testimony, the committee closed the second hearing of HB443 and adjourned.
The bill will return to the committee calendar for further consideration; committee members signaled support for the narrowed language but asked staff to clarify statutory interest and penalty calculations before final action.
