Connecticut House Bill HB05343

Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/13
• Refer: 1/17/13

Caption

An Act Eliminating A Town's Ability To Phase In A Real Property Assessment Decrease.

Impact

The bill's impact on state laws concerns how local governments manage property tax assessments. By eliminating the ability to phase in decreases, the bill could lead to immediate changes in tax bills for property owners following a revaluation. This could induce financial pressure on homeowners and possibly reduce the appeal or accessibility of local governance in managing property tax issues. As a result, property taxes would become more closely aligned with current market conditions, which some argue could be beneficial for municipal revenues.

Summary

House Bill 05343 aims to amend section 12-62c of the general statutes, removing the provision that allows towns to phase in decreases in real property assessments. This change would mean that while towns can still implement phased increases during revaluations, they would no longer have the same flexibility with decreases. This bill is presented to ensure that property tax assessments reflect market values more promptly, as it seeks to eliminate the delay that could occur with phased reductions.

Contention

The legislation may ignite debate among local taxpayers and government officials. Supporters could argue that the bill prevents municipalities from delaying necessary adjustments to property taxes, while opponents may contend it strips towns of valuable flexibility in managing local tax burdens. Critics might warn that the sudden tax increases could disproportionately affect lower-income residents or those on fixed incomes, creating a situation where local governments cannot adequately respond to the economic realities faced by their constituents.