A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION directing the establishment of the Property Taxation Task Force.

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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION directing the establishment of the Property 1
Taxation Task Force. 2
WHEREAS, property taxes fund public education, public safety, infrastructur e, 3
parks and recreation, and various public services. The Kentucky Association of Counties 4
reports that property tax accounts for 34.7 percent of county tax revenue and the 5
Kentucky League of Cities reports that property tax accounts for 23.3 percent of ci ty tax 6
revenue; and 7
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Kentucky continues to be a desired location for 8
individuals and families to live, but rising property taxes place a strain on many and 9
makes it difficult for individuals and families to thrive; and 10
WHEREAS, the value of property throughout the Commonwealth is rising at a 11
steeper rate than household incomes, underscoring the necessity for a thorough and 12
comprehensive examination of the impacts of escalating property taxes on individuals 13
and families; and 14
WHEREAS, the homestead exemption provision of the Constitution was enacted to 15
protect homeowners 65 years of age or older from losing their property due to decreased 16
income after retirement or financial hardships. Increased property taxes make it difficult 17
for these individuals to feel secure and stable with a reduced income; and 18
WHEREAS, home ownership is considered a core part of the American Dream, and 19
escalating local property taxes pose a major barrier to Kentuckians achieving or retaining 20
home ownership; and 21
WHEREAS, taxation is complex and relies on many pillars that operate 22
interdependently. Rising property taxes do not have one simple solution, but provide the 23
Commonwealth a complex problem that requires a multifaceted approach to identify 24
actions available to work toward a solution; 25
NOW, THEREFORE, 26
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the 27
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Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Senate concurring therein: 1
Section 1. (1) The Legislative Research Commission shall establish the 2
Property Taxation Task Force. The task force shall study, review, and make 3
recommendations regarding the current and future policy needs of the state to address 4
rising property taxes affecting the citizens of the Commonwealth, including but not 5
limited to: 6
(a) An analysis of property costs, local property tax rates, and household income 7
statewide and regionally in Kentucky; 8
(b) A comprehensive review of state and local laws, regulations, polici es, and 9
procedures that affect property tax; and 10
(c) Examine efforts and policy changes in other states and municipalities to 11
address property taxation. 12
(2) In the development of policy recommendations and strategies, the task force 13
shall seek input from organizations and associations whose members are impacted by 14
property taxation, advisory groups, researchers, and appropriate stakeholders as 15
determined by the task force. 16
Section 2. The task force shall be composed of the following 10 members, with 17
final membership of the task force being subject to the consideration and approval of the 18
Legislative Research Commission: 19
(1) Four members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate, 20
one of whom shall be de signated as a co -chair of the task force by the President of the 21
Senate; 22
(2) One member of the Senate, to be appointed by the Minority Floor Leader of 23
the Senate; 24
(3) Four members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker 25
of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be designated as a co -chair of the 26
task force by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and 27
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(4) One member of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Minority 1
Floor Leader of the House of Representatives. 2
Section 3. The Property Taxation Task Force shall meet monthly during the 3
2026 Interim of the General Assembly. The task force shall submit findings and 4
recommendations to the Legislative Research Commission for ref erral to the appropriate 5
committee or subcommittee thereof by December 1, 2026. 6
Section 4. Provisions of this Resolution to the contrary notwithstanding, the 7
Legislative Research Commission shall have the authority to al ternatively assign the 8
issues identified herein to an interim joint committee or subcommittee thereof, and to 9
designate a study completion date. 10