Connecticut House Bill HB05405

Connecticut 2012 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/2/12
• Refer: 3/2/12
• Report Pass: 3/23/12
• Refer: 4/4/12
• Report Pass: 4/11/12

Caption

An Act Establishing A State-wide Mill Rate For Motor Vehicles And Amending The Definition Of Antique, Rare Or Special Interest Motor Vehicles.

Impact

If enacted, the bill will affect how municipalities assess and collect property taxes on motor vehicles. It changes the existing framework by aligning local practices with a state-wide standard, which may lead to shifting tax revenues among municipalities. The bill mandates the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to compute the state-wide mill rate annually, thus delegating significant responsibility to the state level for local tax assessments, which could have implications for local budgets and funding capacities.

Summary

House Bill 5405 establishes a state-wide mill rate for motor vehicles in Connecticut, aiming to standardize the property tax applied to motor vehicles across municipalities. This bill proposes that the median local mill rate will serve as the state-wide rate, and municipalities will calculate motor vehicle property taxes based on this rate. The intention is to minimize discrepancies in tax revenues generated by differing local mill rates, leading to a more equitable tax system.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding HB 5405 appears mixed, with supporters advocating for fairer and more predictable taxation across the state. They argue that it levels the playing field between municipalities and prevents unfair advantages based on varying local rates. However, some opponents express concern that the new structure may limit local control over tax policy and create challenges for municipalities that rely on higher racially or economically adjusted mill rates for essential services.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the amendments related to the definition of antique vehicles, which changes the status of vehicles considered 'antique, rare, or special interest' to those over 30 years old, complicating property tax assessments for collectors. Furthermore, the bill's implementation timeline and its interplay with local government revenues could lead to further debates regarding the financial impact on municipalities, especially those with historically higher mill rates.