Researcher: ND Page 1 3/4/21
OLR Bill Analysis
HB 6354
AN ACT CONCERNING THE RENTERS' REBATE PROGRAM FOR
SENIOR CITIZENS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
SUMMARY
By law, individuals seeking a rebate under the Renters’ Rebate
Program (see BACKGROUND) apply annually to local assessors or
their agents between April 1 and October 1. The rebates are
reimbursement for rent and utility payments made in the preceding
calendar year.
Under this bill, municipalities that require applicants to notarize
their landlord’s verification of property rental must exempt applicants
from this requirement if they previously notarized the landlord
verification for the same property rental.
The bill also prohibits municipalities from delaying the submission
of an application to the Office of Policy and Management for an
otherwise qualified renter who fails to meet the deadline for (1)
notarizing the landlord verification or (2) submitting the application to
the municipality, if the failure is due to illness or incapacitation. In the
latter case, the renter must have provided a medical certificate signed
by a physician or advanced practice registered nurse.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
BACKGROUND
Renters’ Rebate Program
The Renters’ Rebate Program provides rent and utility
reimbursements to older adult or totally disabled renters whose
incomes do not exceed certain limits. It is open to people renting an
apartment or room or living in cooperative housing or a mobile home.
To be eligible, the recipient or his or her spouse must be (1) age 65 or 2021HB-06354-R00-BA.docx
Researcher: ND Page 2 3/4/21
older; (2) age 50 or older and the surviving spouse of a renter who at
the time of the renter's death had qualified for and was entitled to tax
relief, provided such spouse lived with such renter at the time of the
renter's death; or (3) age 18 or older with a total and permanent
disability. The recipient also must have lived in the state for at least
one year.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Aging Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 15 Nay 0 (02/16/2021)