A JOINT RESOLUTION amending the constitution to authorize the legislature to provide for valuation of residential property for purposes of taxation and to make conforming changes to related constitutional provisions.
Summary
HJ0004 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would give the Wyoming Legislature authority to set a valuation method for residential real property for property tax purposes. Under current constitutional language, residential property is generally valued at fair market value; this resolution would replace that requirement with language allowing the legislature to determine a different valuation method by law. The measure also makes conforming changes to related provisions governing assessment, equalization, and uniformity of taxation.
If approved by voters, the amendment would change Article 15 of the Wyoming Constitution by carving out residential real property from the existing rules that require property to be listed, valued, and assessed separately and that direct the State Board of Equalization to equalize valuations across counties. It would also add a new subsection expressly stating that residential real property may be valued for taxation using a method determined by the legislature, while leaving other property-tax classifications and agricultural land rules in place.
Impact
The resolution would alter the constitutional framework for property taxation in Wyoming by expanding legislative discretion over how residential property is valued for tax purposes. It would not itself set a new valuation formula or tax rate, but it would authorize future statutory changes that could affect homeowners, county assessors, and the state property tax system. Because it is a constitutional amendment, it would only take effect if approved by voters at a general election and ratified by a majority.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have had limited legislative support and did not advance, failing introduction in the House by a 38-24 vote. The vote suggests a divided chamber, with a substantial minority willing to support giving the Legislature more flexibility on residential property tax valuation, but a majority opposed at the introduction stage. No committee transcript is available, so the recorded vote is the primary indicator of sentiment.
Contention
The main point of contention is whether the Legislature should be allowed to depart from fair market value for residential property taxation. Supporters likely viewed the amendment as a way to create more flexibility in property tax policy and potentially provide relief or a different valuation structure for homeowners, while opponents likely objected to changing a long-standing constitutional valuation standard and reducing uniformity in taxation. The amendment also raises concerns about how county equalization and assessment practices would work if residential property is treated differently from other taxable property.