AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS.

Plain English Breakdown

The official text states counties have the 'authority' to modify amounts but does not explicitly state if they must do so or how much they can change.

HB159: Updating School Property Tax Exemptions After Reassessment

This law allows Delaware counties to change old school property tax exemption rules when they update all local property values.

What This Bill Does

• Gives counties the power to create new ordinances that modify existing school property tax exemptions after a county-wide reassessment of real property under Title 9, Section 8306(b).
• Updates exemption amounts for properties covered by rules adopted on or before January 1, 1998.
• Protects seniors and individuals with disabilities from significant school tax increases related to county-wide reassessments.

Who It Names or Affects

• Counties in Delaware that manage local ordinances
• Seniors who own homes covered by old exemption rules
• Individuals with disabilities who hold qualifying properties

Terms To Know

County-wide reassessment

A process where a county updates the official value of all real property within its borders under Title 9, Section 8306(b).

Ordinance

A local law or rule passed by a county government.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not state the exact date it becomes effective.
• The text does not specify how much counties can change the exemption amounts, only that they have the authority to do so.

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS.
This Act gives a county, upon a county-wide reassessment of real property under § 8306(b) of Title 9, the authority to adopt an ordinance modifying the school property tax exemption amounts that were put in place on or before January 1, 1998. In doing so, this Act protects seniors and individuals with disabilities from significant school tax increases related to county-wide reassessments of property values.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. K. Williams & Rep. Heffernan & Sen. Walsh

Reps. Chukwuocha, Osienski, Michael Smith, Ortega; Sens. Cruce, Hansen, Hoffner, Mantzavinos, Richardson, Lockman, Poore

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 159

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 1902, Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 1902. Power of district to levy taxes for school purposes.

(a) Any district may, in addition to the amounts apportioned to it by the Department of Education or appropriated to it by the General Assembly, levy and collect additional taxes for school purposes upon the assessed value of all taxable real estate in the district, except any of the following:

(3) Real estate exempt from taxation under a county ordinance adopted on or before January 1, 1998, granting, clarifying, or expanding any exemption from county taxation.

Upon a county-wide reassessment under § 8306(b) of Title 9, a county shall, by subsequent county ordinance, modify these exemption amounts.

SYNOPSIS

This Act gives a county, upon a county-wide reassessment of real property under § 8306(b) of Title 9, the authority to adopt an ordinance modifying the school property tax exemption amounts that were put in place on or before January 1, 1998. In doing so, this Act protects seniors and individuals with disabilities from significant school tax increases related to county-wide reassessments of property values.