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HB 126 to be Considered in the House - Contacts Needed

By Katie Johnson posted 01-06-2022 09:22 AM

  

Prior to breaking in December, the Senate voted 24-7 to pass House Bill (HB) 126, as amended by the Senate Ways and Means Committee. HB 126 now goes back to the House for a concurrence vote. The House’s first scheduled session is January 19.

This is the final opportunity to stop HB 126 before it is sent to the Governor. Please contact your legislators in the House and urge them not to concur with the Senate’s changes to HB 126. . Personalize your communication to your House Representative, but it is important to note that:

  1. Boards of Education are locally elected officials who deserve the right to protect the interests of the communities they serve and to ensure all taxpayers are treated fairly;

  2. Your district has used the Board of Revision process in good faith; provide examples; and

  3. All school districts rely on property taxes for the operation and support of their students and schools, and they should have the ability to advocate for accurate values on which those revenues are based.

 

In addition to contacting your House Representative, please consider contacting the editorial board of your local paper. Our communities need to understand the implications of HB 126 and how the changes will ultimately result in residential property owners paying more than their fair share of taxes. Recent editorials on this issue appeared in the Toledo Blade, Cleveland.com include , , and 

As a reminder, changes made to HB 126 in the Senate include:

  • school districts are prohibited from filing initial complaints on properties;

  • districts are allowed to file counter-complaints only if (1) the school board adopts a resolution authorizing the counter-complaint, including evidence for a higher valuation, (2) the board includes only one complaint per resolution, (3) the board includes with the resolution a copy of the counter-complaint, and (4) the board provides advance notice to the initial complainant.

  • districts are prohibited from utilizing direct pay settlements for counter-complaints.

  • districts are prohibited from appealing a board of revision (BOR) decision.

  • the bill takes effect in tax year 2022.

 

A full summary of the Senate-passed version of HB 126 can be seen .

Thank you for your advocacy on this important bill. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

 

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