Bill Summary for Bill Number Property Tax/Rent/Heat Rebate Program

Date: 01/26/2006

Final
Property Tax/Rent/Heat Rebate Program

COMMITTEE ON JOINT FINANCE

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
<none>	<none>

10:25 AM -- Overview of the Property Tax/Rent/Heat Assistance Program

Mr. Richard Giardini, Department of Revenue, explained the Property Tax/Rent/Heat Rebate Program. He provided a sample program application booklet and some statistics on the program (Attachments B and C). The program was expanded in 1987 to include the disabled. Currently, the majority of participants in the program are disabled, as many elderly now have too much income to qualify for the program. He discussed the fluctuation in the number of participants in the program as the economy changes. There are less participants and lower rebates when the economy is booming. The increase in participants and amount of rebates in FY 1999-00 was due to a 1998 law change that increased the rebates and the income level under which people could qualify for a rebate.

Mr. Giardini continued by discussing the rebate amounts and how the rebate is calculated. He explained proposed legislation (HB 06-1013) that would increase the base amount of income under which participants could claim the highest rebate amount. This law change would enable more people to claim a higher rebate amount and would cause more people overall to be eligible for the program.