State Rep. Daniel Troy, D-Willowick, recently announced the bipartisan passage of the Ohio Operating Budget (House Bill 33) by the House of Representatives, which includes his amendment to create the Joint Committee on Property Tax Review and Reform.
Troy first proposed a House Select Committee on Property Tax Education and Reform in the 134th General Assembly.
“One of the most complex and least-understood public policy areas in Ohio is our local property tax system,” Troy stated in a news release, adding alterations, additions, redefinitions and challenging mathematics have made it very confusing and often misunderstood subject matter.
“While it is critical to providing much of the revenue that underwrites the cost of important public services, it is the belief of many that a significant comprehensive and educational review of the system is overdue,” he continued.
The legislation will require the committee to submit a report to the General Assembly making recommendations on reforms to property tax law, the release stated.
Additionally, the committee will review the history and purpose of all aspects of property tax law, including, but not limited to, the forms of levies, exemptions and local subdivision budgeting.
According to Troy, the budget will authorize the committee to hold hearings on pending legislation related to property taxation and will be made up of five senators and five representatives.
“The often indecipherable and confusing situation regarding our property tax system tends to generate mistrust and creates an adversarial relationship between the taxpayer and the service provider dependent upon that revenue stream to perform its functions,” Troy stated. “I believe the formation of this temporary committee and the information and input it can gather would be helpful in generating a better understanding and education on this complex subject.
“As a result of that initial informative process, it would serve to simplify, clarify, reform and modernize Ohio’s property tax system to create a better relationship between the system and the citizens that it assesses,” he added.
The Operating Budget containing the provision heads to the Ohio Senate for consideration.
