House adopts conference report for property tax refund program with $70,000 administrative appropriation

The House adopted the joint conference committee report on House Bill 4, a program establishing a property tax refund. In conference, the Senate added a $70,000 appropriation to cover Department of Revenue administrative costs; conferees accepted that addition on the floor.

Representative Oakley described the two conference changes: the Senate’s $70,000 administrative appropriation and the House’s audit/review authority language that allows the state to investigate potential fraud in program claims. Oakley said conferees agreed with both positions.

The chief clerk called the roll for adoption of the conference report; the vote was 61 aye, 0 no, 1 excused. By that vote the conference committee report was adopted.

Ending: The report’s adoption advances the property tax refund program and provides an administrative appropriation for the Department of Revenue to implement the program and perform audits where necessary.