Second Regular Session Sixty-fifth General Assembly STATE OF COLORADO INTRODUCED LLS NO. 06-0529.01 Bob Lackner HOUSE BILL 06-1013 HOUSE SPONSORSHIP Gallegos, SENATE SPONSORSHIP (None), House Committees Senate Committees Finance A BILL FOR AN ACT Concerning assistance grants for elderly and disabled persons. Bill Summary (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not necessarily reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted.) In connection with the existing program of grants to assist elderly or disabled persons with respect to their state income taxes based upon payment of their real property taxes and residential heat or fuel expenses, increases the amount of the yearly income threshold used to determine the eligibility for such grants for single and married persons. Makes conforming amendments. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. 39-31-101 (2) and the introductory portion to 39-31-101 (3) (b), Colorado Revised Statutes, are amended to read: 39-31-101. Real property tax assistance - eligibility - applicability. (2) Such grant shall be the amount of the general property taxes actually paid on the residence or the amount of taxes actually paid on a mobile home, plus any tax-equivalent payments computed pursuant to subsection (4) of this section, with respect to the rent of a trailer space during the year for which such grant is claimed, the amount of the specific ownership tax actually paid on a trailer coach, or the amount of the tax-equivalent payments, computed pursuant to subsection (4) of this section, actually made during the year for which such grant is claimed, but in no event may it exceed: (a) In the case of an individual: (I) For grants claimed for years commencing prior to January 1, 1999, five hundred dollars reduced by twenty percent of the amount by which the individual's income exceeds five thousand dollars; (II) For grants claimed for years commencing on or after January 1, 1999, but prior to January 1, 2007, six hundred dollars reduced by ten percent of the amount by which the individual's income exceeds five thousand dollars; and (III) For grants claimed for years commencing on or after January 1, 2007, six hundred dollars reduced by ten percent of the amount by which the individual's income exceeds seven thousand dollars. (b) In the case of a husband and wife: (I) For grants claimed for years commencing prior to January 1, 1999, five hundred dollars reduced by twenty percent of their income over eight thousand seven hundred dollars; (II) For grants claimed for years commencing on or after January 1, 1999, but prior to January 1, 2007, six hundred dollars reduced by ten percent of their income over eight thousand seven hundred dollars; and (III) For grants claimed for years commencing on or after January 1, 2007, six hundred dollars reduced by ten percent of their income over ten thousand seven hundred dollars. (3) Such grant shall be allowed to such persons as described in subsection (1) of this section who meet the following requirements: (b) Have income from all sources for the taxable year of less than eleven thirteen thousand dollars if single or, in the case of a husband and wife, less than fourteen sixteen thousand seven hundred dollars, including, but not limited to, for this purpose, alimony, support money, cash public assistance and relief, pension or annuity benefits, federal social security benefits, veterans' benefits, nontaxable interest, workers' compensation, and unemployment compensation benefits. For the purposes of this paragraph (b), the following shall not be considered income: SECTION 2. 39-31-104 (2) and the introductory portion to 39-31-104 (3) (b), Colorado Revised Statutes, are amended to read: 39-31-104. Heat or fuel expenses assistance - eligibility - applicability. (2) Such grant shall be as follows: (a) In the case of an individual: (I) For grants claimed for years commencing prior to January 1, 1999, one hundred sixty dollars reduced by six and four-tenths percent of the amount by which the individual's income exceeds five thousand dollars; (II) For grants claimed for years commencing on or after January 1, 1999, but prior to January 1, 2007, one hundred ninety-two dollars reduced by three and two-tenths percent of the amount by which the individual's income exceeds five thousand dollars; and (III) For grants claimed for years commencing on or after January 1, 2007, one hundred ninety-two dollars reduced by three and two-tenths percent of the amount by which the individual's income exceeds seven thousand dollars. (b) In the case of a husband and wife: (I) For grants claimed for years commencing prior to January 1, 1999, one hundred sixty dollars reduced by six and four-tenths percent of their income over eight thousand seven hundred dollars; (II) For grants claimed for years commencing on or after January 1, 1999, but prior to January 1, 2007, one hundred ninety-two dollars reduced by three and two-tenths percent of their income over eight thousand seven hundred dollars; and (III) For grants claimed for years commencing on or after January 1, 2007, one hundred ninety-two dollars reduced by three and two-tenths percent of their income over ten thousand seven hundred dollars. (3) Such grant shall be allowed to such persons as described in subsection (1) of this section who meet the following requirements: (b) Have income from all sources for the taxable year of less than eleven thirteen thousand dollars if single or, in the case of a husband and wife, less than fourteen sixteen thousand seven hundred dollars, including, but not limited to, for this purpose, alimony, support money, cash public assistance and relief, pension or annuity benefits, federal social security benefits, veterans' benefits, nontaxable interest, workers' compensation, and unemployment compensation benefits. For the purposes of this paragraph (b), the following shall not be considered income: SECTION 3. Effective date. This act shall take effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly that is allowed for submitting a referendum petition pursuant to article V, section 1 (3) of the state constitution (August 9, 2006, if adjournment sine die is on May 10, 2006); except that, if a referendum petition is filed against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part, if approved by the people, shall take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by proclamation of the governor.