Property Tax Cap bill Defeated... and other updates

House Defeats Property Tax Cap Bill

Again... Thank you County Officials who emailed your House members on 1380 the property tax cap bill. Representatives voted down HB 1380 by a vote of 25-67. It was a great floor debate.
Those who were in favor of the bill argued that this bill would curb the increase in property taxes citizens are paying in some areas. And that the voters would have the ability to decide if taxes should be raised.
The opponents conveyed that property taxes are used to pay for local services as well as to address local needs whether they funds used in response to planned or unplanned events. Opponents also reminded fellow House members of recent property tax relief and reform efforts. House Majority Leader Chet Pollert shared powerful insight with House members regarding local control and authority when he said, "I believe local control is when you elect your county commissioner, city commissioners, school and park board members. Local control belongs at the local level."

Senate Approves Election Equipment Funding

The Senate unanimously approved funding for new election equipment. The funding would be used for a new statewide system to include tabulators and e-poll books. This is a priority item for NDACo, as the current election system is experiencing failures and is at the end of it's life. The Senate approved $11.2 million for the election equipment.

Update on Farm Residence Property Tax Exemption

The issue of the Farm-Residence property tax exemption remains in flux. SB2278 to shift the responsibility for providing the tax payer information is now in the Sen. Appropriations Committee as it added costs to the Tax Dept. SB2360 to move eligibility to simply that 66% of income must be from the farm was amended slightly to correct the language and then was passed out of the Sen, Tax Committee “Without Recommendation.“ This action became necessary as the bill had 3 senators in favor and 3 opposed.

Social Service Redesign Update

The social service redesign bill, SB2124, had its Senate Appropriations hearing today and then saw immediate action. The hearing focused on the funding driven by the bill and began with a breakdown of the $182.3 million of state funding it allocates. It was clearly stated that all direct costs of local human service delivery will be funded by the state, and counties fiscal responsibility will be limited to indirect costs, although some federal reimbursement for those will continue. The committee then gave it a Do Pass recommendation on a vote of 14-0.

SIRN Funding

The House Appropriations committee amended HB 1435 and gave the bill a Do Pass recommendation. The amendment increases the funding to $120 million but indicates the funding will be a line of credit with plans to use the current .50 from the 9-1-1 fee to pay for the cost over 30 years. The bill next will go to the full House for a vote.

Asset Forfeiture

The House Judiciary gave HB 1286 which reforms Civil Asset Forfeiture a Do Pass recommendation.  Law enforcement opposed the bill but did work with a subcommittee on a compromise but that amendment was not approved by the committee. The bill was then amended in committee and includes a number of items law enforcement opposed when it was introduced. The bill includes: a requirement for conviction with some exceptions, forfeiture funds will go to the Attorney General Asset Forfeiture Fund, increases the burden of proof for a seizure and forfeiture and indicates the forfeited property must be proportionate to the crime.