Louisiana House Bill HB921

Louisiana 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/2/24
• Refer: 4/3/24
• Report Pass: 4/8/24
• Engrossed: 4/15/24
• Refer: 4/16/24
• Report Pass: 4/29/24
• Enrolled: 5/30/24
• Chaptered: 6/10/24
• Passed: 6/10/24

Caption

Limits the determination of fair market value of certain real property by an assessor under certain circumstances (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF RV See Note)

Impact

The bill is expected to impact state laws governing property tax assessments by providing a more stable valuation process for property owners. By allowing a fixed assessment based on prior rulings to persist until the next mandated reappraisal cycle, it aims to provide predictability in tax liability for property owners while also potentially reducing the frequency of assessments that can lead to disputes. The implementation of this bill would primarily affect real estate taxation in Louisiana, influencing local government revenue derived from property taxes.

Summary

House Bill 921 establishes new provisions regarding the determination of fair market value for real property in Louisiana. Specifically, it mandates that the value assessed by a board of review or a court in a review of property tax assessments will remain in effect for subsequent tax years until the next scheduled reappraisal, unless a significant change in the property's physical condition occurs. This change is defined as an increase or decrease of more than twenty-five percent in the property's fair market value, which would warrant an earlier reappraisal.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 921 appears to be largely positive among legislators, as evidenced by the unanimous passage in the House, with a vote of 91-0. Supporters see this bill as a necessary reform that can enhance the efficiency and fairness of the property tax assessment process. However, there may be concerns voiced by some in the community regarding how these provisions might impact local governments' ability to adjust tax revenues in response to market changes, which is a point of contention in tax reform debates.

Contention

One notable point of contention may arise regarding the thresholds established for reappraisal. There could be differing opinions on whether a 25% change in fair market value is an adequate measure to trigger an earlier reappraisal, with some stakeholders possibly advocating for a lower threshold to allow for more frequent and accurate assessments of property value. Additionally, the fact that the bill insulates previously determined values from change until the next reappraisal could lead to disparities between assessed values and actual market conditions in fast-moving real estate markets.