Louisiana House Bill HB360

Louisiana 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/2/15
• Refer: 4/2/15
• Refer: 4/13/15
• Refer: 5/11/15
• Refer: 5/12/15
• Report Pass: 5/19/15
• Engrossed: 5/28/15
• Refer: 6/1/15
• Report Pass: 6/5/15
• Enrolled: 6/9/15
• Chaptered: 7/1/15
• Passed: 7/1/15

Caption

(Constitutional Amendment) Specifies that the exemption from ad valorem taxation on public property shall not apply to land or property owned by another state or a political subdivision of another state (EN INCREASE LF RV See Note)

Impact

If passed, HB 360 would impact state laws regarding property taxation significantly, particularly concerning the treatment of public lands owned by out-of-state governments. By explicitly excluding these properties from ad valorem tax exemptions, the law would generate additional revenue for state and local governments. This amendment also creates clarity in the existing tax laws, thus potentially reducing disputes over tax exemptions involving public properties owned by entities outside of Louisiana.

Summary

House Bill 360 seeks to amend Article VII, Section 21(A) of the Constitution of Louisiana, clarifying that the ad valorem property tax exemption for public lands and property will not include land or property owned by another state or by a political subdivision of another state. The intent is to ensure that property owned by out-of-state entities is subject to state taxes, thereby broadening the tax base and encouraging fairness within the local tax system. The bill aims to prevent potential abuses of tax exemptions that could arise if out-of-state entities were to benefit from local tax exemptions meant for public purposes.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 360 appears to be largely supportive among local legislators, as the proposal aligns with efforts to stabilize and increase revenue for state resources. There seems to be a consensus that the bill would benefit local government funding bases and discourage practices perceived as tax avoidance by non-local entities. However, it is essential to consider dissenting opinions, which may express concerns regarding the implications for public lands and intergovernmental relations.

Contention

While the bill passed unanimously in the Senate with a vote of 36-0, some points of contention could arise during discussions with stakeholders who advocate for public properties. Concerns may center around how this measure could affect collaborative projects or agreements between states and local governments. Additionally, there may be arguments questioning whether the proposed change adequately addresses the broader context of taxing public property and whether it might inadvertently restrict partnerships designed to serve the public interest.