Connecticut House Bill HB05973

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/21
• Refer: 1/28/21

Caption

An Act Concerning The Assessment Of Buildings With Defective Concrete Foundations.

Impact

If passed, this legislation would empower local governments to manage property assessments in a manner that reflects the actual condition of affected buildings. By allowing tax assessors to declare these properties as having zero value, the bill hopes to alleviate the tax burden on individuals whose properties cannot be occupied safely. This represents a shift in how property assessments are typically conducted, particularly for properties at risk due to structural issues, and underscores a proactive approach to public safety and property rights.

Summary

House Bill 05973, titled 'An Act Concerning The Assessment Of Buildings With Defective Concrete Foundations,' aims to address the issue of buildings that have become unsafe for occupation due to defective concrete foundations. The bill proposes amendments to the general statutes to allow municipalities to adopt ordinances that would enable tax assessors to adjust the value of any occupied commercial or residential building deemed unsafe to a value of zero dollars. The intent is to provide immediate financial relief to homeowners and business owners significantly impacted by this issue.

Contention

While the intention behind HB 05973 is to protect the interests of property owners faced with substantial financial losses, it also raises questions regarding the implications for municipal revenue. Opponents of the bill might argue that permitting property assessments of zero could significantly impact local tax income, creating funding shortfalls for essential services. Furthermore, the bill’s provisions may be scrutinized for how they could be applied uniformly across different municipalities, which may have varying resources and needs concerning building inspections and property management.