"Mills to Cents" proposal gets Do Not Pass Recommendation

Senate Finance & Tax Committe votes 7-0 DNP on HB 1055

The Senate Finance and Tax committee took up a much awaited for bill Tuesday morning. House Bill 1055 was heard March 23rd and finally today the committee took action. The committee first amended the bill to address technical problems discovered in the legislation. After brief discussion of the ineffectiveness of the bill the committee voted 7-0 to give the "Mills to Cents" bill a Do Not Pass Recommendation. Committee members acknowledge the desire to study tax statements and the use of mills and cents on statements but agree there are other ways to accomplish the same result without this bill. Sen. Lonnie Laffen of Grand Forks said, "after listening to testimony on this bill, I am not convinced this is the right process for addressing this concern." Chairman Senator Dwight Cook added, "I needed to be convinced this proposal would make it easier for the taxpayer to understand property tax system, I am not convinced."

The bill now goes to the Senate for a vote which could happen in the next couple days. We urge county officials to contact your Senator and urge them to vote RED.