To amend sections 319.302, 323.152, 323.156, 4503.065, and 4503.068 of the Revised Code to modify the amount of the homestead exemptions and owner-occupancy property tax credit.
Summary
HB61 would increase Ohio property tax relief for qualifying homeowners and manufactured-home owners by raising the value amounts used to calculate the homestead exemption and related reductions. The bill amends the homestead exemption for elderly or disabled homeowners, disabled veterans, surviving spouses of disabled veterans, and surviving spouses of public service officers killed in the line of duty. It also updates the owner-occupancy property tax credit, which reduces taxes on owner-occupied homes and certain manufactured or mobile homes.
More specifically, the bill changes the dollar amounts used in the exemption formulas, including increasing the homestead exemption base from $25,000 to $50,750 for most qualifying categories and increasing the owner-occupancy credit from 2.5% to 7.5% of qualifying levies. It also makes conforming changes to the manufactured-home tax exemption provisions and preserves the existing inflation-indexing mechanism for income thresholds and exemption amounts. The bill applies prospectively to tax years beginning or ending on or after the effective date, depending on whether the property is on the real property tax list or manufactured home tax list.
Impact
HB61 would amend multiple sections of the Revised Code governing property tax reductions, directly affecting county auditors, county treasurers, the tax commissioner, school districts, and other taxing authorities. By increasing exemption amounts and the owner-occupancy credit, the bill would reduce property tax liability for eligible homeowners and manufactured-home owners and likely increase state reimbursement obligations under the homestead exemption reimbursement provisions. It would also require updated administration and certification of reduced tax amounts for counties and the state.
Sentiment
The bill appears to be a tax-relief measure with a generally favorable policy posture, aimed at expanding benefits for homeowners, seniors, disabled residents, veterans, and surviving spouses. Because the bill was only introduced and has no recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, there is no documented public debate or formal legislative sentiment beyond the bill’s sponsorship and purpose. The text itself suggests a supportive intent to provide broader and larger property tax relief.
Contention
The main policy issue is fiscal: increasing homestead and owner-occupancy tax reductions would lower local property tax collections and increase the amount the state must reimburse counties for part of the exemption. Potential points of contention include the size of the increase, the effect on school district and local government revenues, and whether the expanded relief is targeted appropriately to seniors, disabled taxpayers, veterans, and surviving spouses. No specific objections or amendments are reflected in the provided committee or vote history.