Date: 05/02/2012

Final
HCR12-1002

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to postpone indefinitely House Concurrent Re
Moved to refer House Concurrent Resolution 12-1002		PASS
FAIL



03:07 PM -- HCR 12-1002

The committee returned to order. Representative Court, prime sponsor, presented House Concurrent Resolution 12-1002, concerning the property tax exemption for qualifying seniors, and, in connection therewith, allowing an owner of residential real property who does not actually reside in the property to claim an exemption under specified circumstances and providing the exemption only to persons with limited financial means. Representative Court provided background on what prompted her to sponsor the resolution, and explained the effect of the resolution. Representative Court responded to questions regarding applications for the senior property tax exemption by those of her constituents who are in favor of means testing for the exemption. Representative Court responded to further questions regarding the process by which those eligible to receive the exemption would apply for it under House Concurrent Resolution 12-1002.


03:20 PM

Discussion ensued regarding how tax information would be shared with county assessors under the concurrent resolution, and a provision in the resolution that allows a recipient of the homestead tax exemption who is eligible under the resolution to continue to receive it if he or she is renting the property.


03:23 PM

The following persons testified regarding House Concurrent Resolution 12-1002:

03:23 PM -- Mr. Jason Gelender, representing the Office of Legislative Legal Services, made himself available to answer questions regarding the resolution. Mr. Gelender responded to questions regarding the need to reapply for the homestead exemption under the concurrent resolution. Discussion ensued regarding the potential for amending the resolution to address concerns about reapplication for the exemption. Discussion followed regarding a provision in the resolution that allows a person to claim the exemption without living in the applicable home.

03:29 PM -- Ms. Christine Watson, representing the League of Women Voters, testified regarding House Concurrent Resolution from a neutral position, and explained the reason her organization is taking that position. Ms. Watson discussed the position of the league in support of broad-based tax relief rather than targeted relief, the league's support for keeping the state constitution unencumbered, and the best way to assist seniors. Ms. Watson provided background on the connection between rising property values and the passage of the senior homestead property tax exemption, and programs available to seniors to assist with keeping their homes. Ms. Watson clarified the position of the League of Women Voters on the resolution. Discussion ensued regarding the potential impact of Colorado's aging demographics on the use of the senior homestead tax exemption.


03:40 PM

No amendments were offered to House Concurrent Resolution 12-1002. Representative Kerr provided closing remarks in support of the resolution. Various committee members expressed their support for, or opposition to, the resolution.
BILL:HCR 12-1002
TIME: 03:42:45 PM
MOVED:Court
MOTION:Moved to refer House Concurrent Resolution 12-1002 to the Committee on Appropriations with a favorable recommendation. The motion failed on a vote of 4-5.
SECONDED:Casso
VOTE
Baumgardner
No
Becker
No
Casso
Yes
Court
Yes
Duran
Yes
Joshi
No
Todd
Yes
Coram
No
Kerr J.
No
YES: 4 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:HCR 12-1002
TIME: 03:43:51 PM
MOVED:Baumgardner
MOTION:Moved to postpone indefinitely House Concurrent Resolution 12-1002. The motion passed on a vote of 5-4.
SECONDED:Joshi
VOTE
Baumgardner
Yes
Becker
Yes
Casso
No
Court
No
Duran
No
Joshi
Yes
Todd
No
Coram
Yes
Kerr J.
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS