10/16/2025

House Bill 309

Lead Sponsors: Representative David Thomas

Status: Passed the House, 77-19 (October 8, 2025)

Description: The bill amends the procedures and authority of the county budget commission (CBC). 

The bill reduces the requirement that the CBC approve all voted property tax levies without modification to apply only to the first five years that the levy is collected. After that period, the CBC can reduce property tax levies to avoid unnecessary or excessive collections.

"Unnecessary" is defined as "beyond the reasonability anticipated financial needs for the specific purpose of the tax, after accounting for current fund balances, projected expenditures, and other funding sources."

"Excessive" is defined as "an amount or rate that exceeds what is required to provide services at a level consistent with statutory obligations." 

The bill also changes responsibility for annually adjusting the rate of fixed-sum levies to ensure the levies continue to raise the sums approved by voters. The Tax Commissioner is given the responsibility to make these adjustments instead of the county auditor.

CCAO Position: No position (as of October 2025).