Property taxation: base year value transfers: persons with a severely disabled child.
If enacted, SCA 8 would modify the existing laws in Section 2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution, which governs property taxation. The change would enable parents or guardians of severely disabled children to purchase or construct new replacement dwellings without facing a significant increase in property taxes. The measure is designed to alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with housing, thereby potentially benefiting family stability for caregivers. This amendment is poised to have ripple effects on state tax revenues and local government funding as well.
Senate Constitutional Amendment No. 8 (SCA 8), introduced by Senators Archuleta and Jones, aims to amend California's taxation laws related to real property. Specifically, the bill seeks to extend the ability to transfer base year values of property to parents or legal guardians of severely disabled children who reside with them. Currently, property owners aged 55 and older, as well as individuals with severe disabilities, can transfer their property's base year value to a new dwelling. This measure would allow similar provisions for those caring for severely disabled children, effectively broadening the scope of beneficiaries eligible for this tax relief.
Debate around SCA 8 may arise from concerns regarding equity and fiscal impact on local governments. Proponents argue that the measure is a just response to the unique challenges faced by families with severely disabled children, enabling them to find appropriate housing without the fear of prohibitive property taxes. However, critics may express concerns about how this change could affect local governments' ability to fund essential services, as property tax revenues are critical to local budgets. Balancing the needs of these families with the fiscal sustainability of local government will likely be a point of contention as the bill progresses.