House advances S.160 to provide flood-related property tax relief for towns

The Vermont House advanced and passed S.160, an act relating to state education property taxes and flood-related damage, on Jan. 31, 2024, after committee recommendations and a motion to suspend the rules to move the bill through all remaining stages.

Member from Berry City, speaking for the Ways and Means committee, described S.160 as a mechanism to offer relief to towns required to contribute to the education fund when properties within their jurisdiction suffered flood damage between July and October 2023. The bill authorizes the tax commissioner to establish procedures for towns to apply for relief and defines eligible properties as those that suffered flood damage and meet one of four criteria: 1) loss of 50% or more of value; 2) loss of use or habitation for 60 days or more; 3) loss of utilities or access for 60 days or longer; or 4) condemnation related to landslide or flood damage.

The member noted the committee heard testimony from legislative counsel, the tax commissioner, the Joint Fiscal Office, the executive director of the League of Cities and Towns, the chief recovery officer, and the president of the Clerk Treasurers Association. The appropriations committee also reviewed the bill and recommended concurrence.

After the House suspended its rules to advance the bill, members voted to pass S.160 and then suspended rules again to message the House’s action to the Senate and to deliver the bill to the governor forthwith.