IA
Iowa Senate Bill SF356

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SF356

Introduced
2/21/23  
Refer
6/5/23  
Introduced
2/21/23  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to local government property taxes, financial authority, operations, and budgets, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 1124.)

Impact

The most significant impact of SF356 will be on the budgeting capabilities of counties and cities, as it adjusts the maximum allowable levy rates for property taxes. Additionally, the bill eliminates certain existing tax levies and alters how local governments can respond to emergencies by tightening the criteria under which supplemental levies for unusual circumstances can be approved. As a result, local governments may face enhanced limitations on their financial flexibility and options for funding essential services.

Summary

Senate File 356 addresses various aspects of local government property taxes and financial operations in Iowa. It aims to amend existing statutes regarding tax levy limits and the processes by which local governments can generate revenue through property taxes. Notably, the bill proposes reductions in contract amount thresholds for local governments, specifically by 30%, which will affect their ability to engage in large financial transactions without prior voter approval. This legislation is set to take effect with fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2024.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding the bill, particularly regarding concerns that the reduced thresholds for tax-related actions may restrict local governance. Some legislators and local leaders argue that this overreach undermines the ability of local authorities to make decisions tailored to their communities' specific needs. Critics fear that stricter limits on revenue generation could impede local emergency management efforts, particularly in times of unexpected crises or financial needs. The overarching debate reflects broader tensions between state control and local autonomy.

Latest SF356 Activity

Companion Bills

IA SSB1124

Related A bill for an act relating to local government property taxes, financial authority, and budgets, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See SF 356.)

Similar Bills

IA SSB1124

A bill for an act relating to local government property taxes, financial authority, and budgets, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See SF 356.)

IA SF569

A bill for an act relating to local government property taxes, financial authority, operations, and budgets, modifying certain transit funding, property tax credits and exemptions, and appropriations, requiring certain information related to property taxation to be provided to property owners and taxpayers, modifying provisions relating to fees for driver's licenses and nonoperator's identification cards, modifying provisions relating to certain writing fees, making penalties applicable, and including effective date, retroactive applicability, and applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 1218.)

IA SSB1218

A bill for an act relating to local government property taxes, financial authority, operations, and budgets, modifying certain transit funding, property tax credits and exemptions, and appropriations, requiring certain information related to property taxation to be provided to property owners and taxpayers, modifying provisions relating to fees for driver's licenses and nonoperator's identification cards, modifying provisions relating to certain writing fees, making penalties applicable, and including effective date, retroactive applicability, and applicability provisions.(See SF 569.)

IA HF718

A bill for an act relating to local government property taxes, financial authority, operations, and budgets, modifying certain transit funding, property tax credits and exemptions, and appropriations, requiring certain information related to property taxation to be provided to property owners and taxpayers, modifying provisions relating to fees for driver's licenses and nonoperator's identification cards, modifying provisions relating to certain writing fees, modifying certain bonding procedures, making penalties applicable, and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly HF 1.) Effective date: 05/04/2023, 07/01/2023, 07/01/2024. Applicability date: 01/01/2023, 07/01/2023, 07/01/2024.

IA HSB752

A bill for an act relating to state and local finances by modifying individual and alternate income tax rates, withholding credits, franchise tax deductions, methodologies for determining property taxes, and property tax assessment limitations, changing methods of determining compensation of county officials, making contingent transfers from the taxpayer relief fund, and making corrections, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See HF 2705.)

IA SSB3207

A bill for an act relating to state and local finances by modifying individual and alternate income tax rates, withholding credits, franchise tax deductions, methodologies for determining property taxes, and property tax assessment limitations, changing methods of determining compensation of county officials, making contingent transfers from the taxpayer relief fund, and making corrections, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See SF 2442.)

IA SF2442

A bill for an act relating to state and local finances by modifying individual and alternate income tax rates, withholding credits, franchise tax deductions, methodologies for determining property taxes, and property tax assessment limitations, changing methods of determining compensation of county officials, making contingent transfers from the taxpayer relief fund, and making corrections, and including effective date and applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 3207.) Effective date: Enactment, 05/01/2024, 07/01/2024, 01/01/2025. Applicability date: 01/01/2024, 01/01/2025, 07/01/2025.

IA HF2705

A bill for an act relating to state and local finances by modifying individual and alternate income tax rates, withholding credits, franchise tax deductions, methodologies for determining property taxes, and property tax assessment limitations, changing methods of determining compensation of county officials, making contingent transfers from the taxpayer relief fund, and making corrections, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(Formerly HSB 752.)