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HB0045 • 2024

Property tax exemption-residential structures and land.

AN ACT relating to taxation; establishing a property tax exemption for single family residential structures based on the prior year assessed value; establishing a property tax exemption for land associated with a single family residential structure based on the prior year assessed value; providing definitions; requiring information related to the tax exemption to be included on the tax assessment schedule and tax notice; providing rulemaking authority; specifying applicability; and providing for an effective date.

Children Taxes
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Representative Crago
Last action
2024-03-21
Official status
enrolled
Effective date
3/21/2024

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation incorrectly stated that the exemption applies only when there is a value increase over four percent, which was not clearly specified as a condition for application but rather part of the calculation.

Property Tax Exemption for Homes and Land

This law creates property tax exemptions for single-family residential structures and associated land based on prior year's value increases over four percent, starting from different years.

What This Bill Does

  • Establishes a property tax exemption for single family residential structures based on the increase in assessed value of more than four percent (4%) over the previous year’s value. This applies to tax year 2024.
  • Creates a similar property tax exemption for land associated with single-family homes, also based on an increase in assessed value of more than four percent (4%) over the previous year's value. This starts applying to tax year 2025.
  • Defines 'single family residential structure' and 'improved land associated with a single family residential structure'.
  • Requires the Department of Revenue to create rules for administering these exemptions.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Homeowners who own single-family residences.
  • People or entities owning land connected to single-family homes.

Terms To Know

Single family residential structure
A house, modular home, mobile home, townhouse, or condominium that is a privately owned single family dwelling unit.
Improved land associated with a single family residential structure
Land that has been developed by a building intended for human habitation and connected to a single-family residence.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The exemptions do not apply if the property was acquired during the prior calendar year, unless it meets certain exceptions.
  • Details about how these rules will be implemented are left up to the Department of Revenue through rulemaking authority.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB0045H2001

2nd reading • Representative Yin

Failed

Plain English: The amendment adds a sunset clause to the bill, meaning that certain provisions will be repealed on July 1, 2027.

  • Adds language after 'applicability;' to include a provision for a sunset date.
  • Inserts new Section 3 which states that the act is repealed effective July 1, 2027.
  • Updates the section number of what was originally labeled as Section 3 to be now labeled as Section 4.
  • The amendment does not specify which parts of the bill will be affected by the sunset clause beyond stating that 'this act' is repealed, leaving some ambiguity about exactly what provisions are targeted for repeal.
HB0045H2002

2nd reading • Representative Locke

Withdrawn

Plain English: The amendment changes the percentage threshold for a property tax exemption from five percent to four percent.

  • Reduces the required percentage threshold for property tax exemptions on single family residential structures and associated land from 5% to 4%.
HB0045H2003

2nd reading • Representative Locke

Withdrawn

Plain English: The amendment changes the definition of 'single family residential structure' to include the land it sits on and any additional buildings like garages or sheds, starting from tax year 2025.

  • Expands the definition of a single-family residential structure to include associated improved land and other structures such as garages and sheds.
  • The amendment only provides for changes beginning in tax year 2025, so no immediate impact is expected before then.
HB0045H2004

2nd reading • Representative Locke

Failed

Plain English: The amendment adds a specific rule for calculating property tax exemptions in the year starting January 1, 2025.

  • For the tax year beginning on January 1, 2025, the prior year's taxable value will be calculated differently. If the property was acquired after 2021, its assessed value at acquisition plus a yearly increase of 5% from 2022 to 2025 is used.
  • If new structures were added between 2021 and 2024, their additional value will be included in the calculation.
  • The amendment only applies for one specific tax year (beginning January 1, 2025).
  • It is unclear how this change affects properties acquired before 2021 or if there are any exceptions not covered by the amendment text.
HB0045H2005

2nd reading • Representative Locke

Failed

Plain English: The amendment modifies a property tax exemption bill to specify that the exemption applies only if the assessed value increases from one year to the next, starting with the tax year 2024.

  • Adds language requiring the property tax exemption for single family residential structures and land to apply only when there is an increase in the assessed value compared to the previous year's assessment.
  • The amendment text does not provide details on how exemptions will be calculated or applied if the assessed value decreases from one year to the next.
  • It is unclear what happens with properties that do not have an increase in assessed value starting from tax year 2024.
HB0045H3001

3rd reading • Representative Yin

Failed

Plain English: The amendment adds a sunset clause to the bill, meaning that certain provisions will be repealed on July 1, 2027.

  • Adds language after 'applicability;' to include a provision for a sunset date.
  • Inserts new Section 3 which states that the act is repealed effective July 1, 2027.
  • Updates the section number of what was originally labeled as Section 3 to be now labeled as Section 4.
  • The amendment does not specify which parts of the bill will remain in effect after the sunset date.
HB0045H3002

3rd reading • Representative Locke

Failed

Plain English: The amendment changes the percentage threshold for a property tax exemption from five percent to four percent.

  • Reduces the required percentage of prior year assessed value for property tax exemptions on single family residential structures and associated land from 5% to 4%.
HB0045H3003

3rd reading • Representative Locke

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment changes the definition of 'single family residential structure' to include the land it sits on and any additional buildings like garages or sheds, starting from tax year 2025.

  • Expands the definition of a single family residential structure to include associated improved land and other structures such as garages and sheds.
  • The amendment only specifies changes for tax year 2025 onwards, so it does not cover earlier years or provide details on how this change will be implemented beyond the definition update.
HB0045HW001

Committee of the Whole • Representative Locke

Failed

Plain English: The amendment changes the percentage of property tax exemption for single family residential structures from five percent to three percent.

  • Changes the property tax exemption rate for single family residential structures from 5% to 3%.
  • The amendment does not provide details on how this change will affect other parts of the bill or its overall impact.
HB0045HW002

Committee of the Whole • Representative Locke

Failed

Plain English: The amendment adds a specific rule for calculating property tax exemptions in 2025 based on values from previous years.

  • For the year starting January 1, 2025 only, the exemption calculation will use the lesser of either the 2019 value plus three percent yearly increase or the current assessed value.
  • The amendment applies only for one specific tax year and may be complex to understand without additional context about how property values are typically calculated.
HB0045HW003

Committee of the Whole • Representative Locke

Failed

Plain English: The amendment changes the term 'single family residential structures' to 'specified real property' and adds a new exemption for certain types of real property starting in tax year 2025.

  • Changes references from 'single family residential structures' to 'specified real property'.
  • Adds an exemption for non-agricultural real property, excluding personal property, beginning in the tax year 2025.
  • The amendment does not specify what qualifies as 'specified real property', which may cause uncertainty about its application.
HB0045JC001

Conference Committee

H Adopted, S Adopted

Plain English: The amendment changes the percentage for property tax exemptions from five percent to four percent and makes other minor edits.

  • Changes 'five percent (5%)' to 'four percent (4%)' in multiple places where property tax exemptions are discussed.
  • Removes unnecessary commas after certain terms like 'value'.
  • Deletes specific lines that refer to the beginning of a tax year.
  • The amendment text does not provide full context for all changes, so some details about why these edits were made are unclear.
HB0045HS001

Standing Committee • House Revenue Committee

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment adds a property tax exemption for land associated with single family residential structures and modifies how information about these exemptions is communicated to taxpayers.

  • Adds an exemption for the land connected to single-family homes based on prior year's assessed value.
  • Includes details about this new land exemption in the tax assessment schedule and notice sent to property owners.
  • Specifies that the department can create rules to manage these exemptions.
  • The amendment text includes technical legal language which may be hard for some readers to understand fully without additional context.
HB0045S2001

2nd reading • Senator Landen

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment changes a specific reference in the bill from one section to another, altering where certain definitions or rules related to property tax exemptions are found.

  • Replaces '39-15-105(a)(xliv)' with '39-11-105(a)(xliv)' in the bill.
  • The exact nature and content of sections 39-15-105(a)(xliv) and 39-11-105(a)(xliv) are not provided, so it's unclear what specific changes this amendment will make beyond the section reference.
HB0045S3001

3rd reading • Senator Barlow

Failed

Plain English: The amendment changes 'three percent (3%)' to 'four percent (4%)' in two places within the bill.

  • Changes 'three percent (3%)' to 'four percent (4%)' on page 2, line 20 of the bill.
  • Changes 'three percent (3%)' to 'four percent (4%)' on page 5, line 14 of the bill.
  • The amendment does not provide context for what these percentages refer to, making it unclear how this change will affect property tax exemptions.
  • Without additional information about the original 'three percent (3%)' values and their purpose in the bill, the full impact of changing them to 'four percent (4%)' cannot be explained.
HB0045SW001

Committee of the Whole • Senator Landen

Withdrawn

Plain English: The amendment changes a specific reference in the bill from one section to another, altering where certain definitions or rules related to property tax exemptions are found.

  • Changes the reference from '39-15-105(a)(xliv)' to '39-11-105(a)(xliv)' in the bill.
  • The amendment text is technical and does not provide enough context to explain fully what this change means or how it affects the overall purpose of the bill.
HB0045SS001

Standing Committee • Senate Revenue Committee

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment changes the percentage threshold for property tax exemptions from five percent to three percent and makes other minor edits to the bill text.

  • Changes 'five percent (5%)' to 'three percent (3%)' in two places where thresholds are mentioned.
  • Removes a line mentioning 'Beginning in tax year'.
  • Deletes lines one through three on page five.
  • The exact impact of removing specific lines and percentages is not fully explained, so the full effect may be unclear without additional context.

Bill History

  1. 2024-03-21 LSO

    Assigned Chapter Number 107

  2. 2024-03-21 Governor

    Governor Signed HEA No. 0054

  3. 2024-03-08 Senate

    S President Signed HEA No. 0054

  4. 2024-03-08 House

    H Speaker Signed HEA No. 0054

  5. 2024-03-08 LSO

    Assigned Number HEA No. 0054

  6. 2024-03-08 Senate

    S Appointed JCC01 Members

  7. 2024-03-07 House

    H Appointed JCC01 Members

  8. 2024-03-07 House

    H Concur:Failed 25-36-1-0-0

  9. 2024-03-07 House

    H Received for Concurrence

  10. 2024-03-07 Senate

    S 3rd Reading:Passed 29-1-1-0-0

  11. 2024-03-06 Senate

    S 3rd Reading:Laid Back

  12. 2024-03-05 Senate

    S 2nd Reading:Passed

  13. 2024-03-04 Senate

    S COW:Passed

  14. 2024-03-01 Senate

    S Placed on General File

  15. 2024-03-01 Senate

    S03 - Revenue:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0

  16. 2024-02-28 Senate

    S Introduced and Referred to S03 - Revenue

  17. 2024-02-23 Senate

    S Received for Introduction

  18. 2024-02-22 House

    H 3rd Reading:Passed 62-0-0-0-0

  19. 2024-02-22 House

    H 3rd Reading:Pursuant to HR 7-7 Accelerated to 3rd Reading 45-17-0-0-0

  20. 2024-02-22 House

    H 2nd Reading:Passed

  21. 2024-02-21 House

    H 2nd Reading:Laid Back

  22. 2024-02-20 House

    H COW:Passed

  23. 2024-02-20 House

    H Placed on General File

  24. 2024-02-20 House

    H03 - Revenue:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0

  25. 2024-02-13 House

    H Introduced and Referred to H03 - Revenue 57-4-1-0-0

  26. 2024-01-24 House

    H Received for Introduction

  27. 2024-01-05 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 24LSO-0108

Bill No.:

HB0045

Effective:

Immediately

LSO No.:

24LSO-0108

Enrolled Act No.:

HEA No. 0054

Chapter No.:

107

Prime Sponsor:

Crago

Catch Title:

Property tax exemption-residential structures and land.

Has Report:

No

Subject:

Property tax exemption for residential structures and land.

Summary/Major Elements:

This bill creates a property tax exemption for residential structures. The exemption is equal to any increase in the assessed value of residential property of more than four percent (4%) over the value of the residential structure in the prior year, including any reduction in the prior year value that was a result of the exemption. This exemption would first apply in tax year 2024.

This bill also creates a property tax exemption for land associated with a residential structure. The exemption is equal to any increase in the assessed value of the property of more than four percent (4%) over the value of the land in the prior year, including any reduction in the prior year value that was a result of the exemption. This exemption would first apply in tax year 2025.

The bill includes definitions of "single family residential structure" and "improved land associated with a single family residential structure" and specifies instances when the exemptions would not apply.

The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
24LSO-0108

ORIGINAL House

ENGROSSED
Bill No
.
HB0045

ENROLLED ACT NO. 54,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2024 Budget Session

AN ACT relating to taxation; establishing a property tax exemption for single family residential structures based on the prior year assessed value; establishing a property tax exemption for land associated with a single family residential structure based on the prior year assessed value; providing definitions; requiring information related to the tax exemption to be included on the tax assessment schedule and tax notice; providing rulemaking authority; specifying applicability; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.

W.S. 39
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11
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105(a) by creating new paragraphs (xliii) and (xliv), 39
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13
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103(b)(viii) and 39
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13
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107(b)(i)(C) are amended to read:

39
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11
‑
105.

Exemptions.

(a)

The following property is exempt from property taxation:

(xliii)

A portion of a single family residential structure. The following shall apply to the exemption under this paragraph:

(A)

Subject to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the amount of the exemption under this paragraph shall be any assessed value of the single family residential structure that is in excess of the prior year assessed value less any exemption authorized under this paragraph in the prior year, plus four percent (4%);

(B)

The exemption under this paragraph is not applicable and the property shall be valued at full value if:

(I)

The increase in value is attributable to structural changes to the single family residential structure including new construction or additions to an existing structure; or

(II)

The owner acquired the property during the prior calendar year. The following shall not be deemed to be an acquisition of property under this subdivision:

(1)

A transfer of property between spouses;

(2)

A transfer of property pursuant to a court order including to effectuate a settlement agreement or in compliance with a decree of divorce or judicial separation;

(3)

A transfer of property to a trust established for the benefit of the prior owner;

(4)

A transfer of property to a corporation, partnership or limited liability company if the prior owner of the property is a shareholder or owner of the corporation, partnership or limited liability company;

(5)

Any other transfer of property that the department determines by rule should not be an acquisition of property due to the relationship of the parties.

(C)

The department shall adopt rules necessary to administer the exemption under this paragraph;

(D)

As used in this paragraph, "single family residential structure" means a structure intended for human habitation including a house, modular home, mobile home, townhouse or condominium that is a privately owned single family dwelling unit.

(xliv)

A portion of improved land associated with a single family residential structure. The following shall apply to the exemption under this paragraph:

(A)

Subject to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the amount of the exemption under this paragraph shall be any assessed value of improved land associated with a residential structure that is in excess of the prior year assessed value less any exemption authorized under this paragraph in the prior year, plus four percent (4%);

(B)

The exemption under this paragraph is not applicable and the property shall be valued at full value if the owner acquired the property during the prior calendar year. The following shall not be deemed to be an acquisition of property under this subparagraph:

(I)

A transfer of property between spouses;

(II)

A transfer of property pursuant to a court order including to effectuate a settlement agreement or in compliance with a decree of divorce or judicial separation;

(III)

A transfer of property to a trust established for the benefit of the prior owner;

(IV)

A transfer of property to a corporation, partnership or limited liability company if the prior owner of the property is a shareholder or owner of the corporation, partnership or limited liability company;

(V)

Any other transfer of property that the department determines by rule should not be an acquisition of property due to the relationship of the parties.

(C)

The department shall adopt rules necessary to administer the exemption under this paragraph;

(D)

As used in this paragraph, "improved land associated with a single family residential structure" means land that is improved by a structure intended for human habitation including a house, modular home, mobile home, townhouse or condominium that is a privately owned single family dwelling unit.

39
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13
‑
103.

Imposition.

(b)

Basis of tax.

The following shall apply:

(viii)

Every assessment schedule sent to a taxpayer shall contain the property's estimated fair market value for the current and previous year, or, productive value in the case of agricultural property. The schedule shall also contain the assessment ratio as provided by paragraph (b)(iii) of this section for the taxable property, the amount of taxes assessed on the taxable property from the previous year,
and
an estimate of the taxes which will be due and payable for the current year based on the previous year's mill levies
and, if the property is a single family residential structure, an estimate of the taxes that will be avoided if the property is eligible for the exemptions under W.S. 39
‑
11
‑
105(a)(xliii) and (xliv)
. The schedule shall contain a statement of the process to contest assessments as prescribed by W.S. 39
‑
13
‑
109(b)(i);

39
‑
13
‑
107.

Compliance; collection procedures.

(b)

The following provisions shall apply to the payment of taxes, distraint of property and deferral:

(i)

The following shall apply to the payment of taxes due:

(C)

Annually, on or before October 10 the county treasurer shall send a written statement to each taxpayer by mail at his last known address or, if offered by the county and upon request of the taxpayer, by electronic transmission of the total tax due, itemized as to property description, assessed value and mill levies. The notice shall contain information, including contact information, of any property tax relief program authorized by state law
and, if the property is a single family residential structure, the taxes that will be avoided pursuant to the exemptions under W.S. 39
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11
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105(a)(xliii) and (xliv)
. Failure to send notice, or to demand payment of taxes, does not invalidate any taxes due;

Section 2
.

The exemption provided by W.S. 39
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11
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105(a)(xliii) as created in section 1 of this act shall first apply to the tax year beginning January 1, 2024. The exemption provided by W.S. 39
‑
11
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105(a)(xliv) as created in section 1 of this act shall first apply to the tax year beginning January 1, 2025.

Section 3
.

This act is effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

1