Missouri House Bill HJR72

Missouri 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/5/22
• Refer: 1/27/22
• Report Pass: 4/28/22
• Refer: 4/28/22

Caption

Proposes an amendment to the Constitution of Missouri relating to property tax exemptions

Impact

The proposed amendment has significant implications for local taxation and revenue generation. By exempting properties owned by disabled veterans and others as defined in the new section, local governments may face substantial reductions in tax revenues. In this context, the bill introduces mechanisms to compensate for the 'revenues lost' by establishing a county-wide tax on all properties within specified subclasses to help restore some of the lost revenue to local taxing authorities. This approach is intended to balance the interests of supporting veterans while also maintaining necessary funding for public services.

Summary

HJR72 is a proposed amendment to the Missouri Constitution that focuses on property tax exemptions, particularly for disabled veterans. The resolution seeks to repeal Section 6 of Article X of the Missouri Constitution while substituting a new section that considers specific exemptions for property owned by veterans who are permanently disabled as a result of service-related injuries. Furthermore, it aims to ensure that all property owned by these individuals, as well as certain properties used for charitable and educational purposes, is exempt from taxation.

Contention

However, HJR72 is not without contention. Critics of the bill may argue that while it supports veterans, it could lead to budgetary issues for local governments that rely heavily on property taxes for funding essential services. The amendment could provoke debates on the fairness of tax exemptions and whether similar considerations should be extended to other groups. There's a delicate balance between providing necessary support to veterans and ensuring that local municipalities can sustain adequate levels of service to all residents.