(BISMARCK, ND) – After hearing more than two-and-a-half hours of testimony, a North Dakota Senate panel unanimously decided that a bill overhauling the state’s property tax structure should be passed by the full chamber.
By a vote of 6-0, the Senate’s Finance and Taxation Committee is moving House Bill 1176 out of committee to the full Senate floor with a “Do Pass” recommendation.
Among those testifying in favor was Governor Kelly Armstrong, who initially came up with the plan that is now in its current legislative form.
If approved, the bill would cap annual property taxes increases for local governments at 3%, while almost tripling a property tax credit for homeowners.
“We’ve been meeting with legislators since June to listen to their ideas and develop a property tax plan that works,” Armstrong testified.
Armstrong says the plan “only works if we have property tax relief and reform.”
Becky Hagel, Chairman of the Foster County Commission in central North Dakota, with its county seat in Carrington, says she’s most concerned with the caps established in the bill.
Adam Parker, who serves as the co-chair of the North Dakota EMS Association’s Advocacy Committee, says the organization opposes the measure when it comes to affecting local government services.
“(House Bill) 1176 places some restrictions on the flexibility that the (ambulance) districts have,” he said. “Which, in turn, we feel jeopardizes ambulance service sustainability.”
