Bill Positions

Bill Number: SB 302

Bill Title: Property Tax - Assessment Freeze and Annual Reassessment

Bill Sponsor(s): Senator Glassman, et al

Subject: Budget & Tax

Committee: B&T

Bill Summary: This bill would have: (1) Changed Maryland's real property assessment system from a 3-year cycle to an annual cycle; (2) Eliminated the phase-in of assessment increases; and (3) Frozen taxable assessments for owner-occupied residential property for the taxable year beginning July 1, 2009.

History: The bill was withdrawn by the sponsor.

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: The Maryland Chamber opposed this bill because it would have unfairly pushed more property tax burden towards real property owned by businesses. The homestead property tax credit already provides owner-occupied residential properties a billion dollar property tax break that causes higher taxes for business property. The General Assembly has repeatedly been advised by the Attorney General that this discriminatory tax treatment violates the state constitutional requirement of uniformity of taxation. Increasing the amount of tax discrimination on businesses through a residential assessment freeze is unacceptable.

Position Statement:

Chamber Staff: Ronald Wineholt

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.