ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

 

HB 2477: elderly assistance; property tax; appropriation

S/E: elderly assistance fund; appropriation

Sponsor: Representative Carroll, LD 22

Committee on Appropriations

 

Summary of the Strike-Everything Amendment to HB 2477

Overview

Transfers administration of the Elderly Assistance Fund (Fund) from the Maricopa County Treasurer to the Department of Economic Security (DES) and appropriates $7,000,000 from the state General Fund (GF) to the Fund in each fiscal year beginning in FY 2023.

History

The Arizona Constitution provides certain residents who are at least 65 years of age with a property valuation protection option, which freezes the valuation of their primary residence (Ariz. Const. Art. IX, § 18).

In addition to this option, the board of supervisors in any county with a population over 2,000,000 must create a Fund under the county treasurer. The county treasurer uses the Fund to proportionately reduce the primary school district property taxes of all taxpayers who qualify for the Constitution's property valuation protection option (A.R.S. § 42-17401). The only county which currently has a population of over 2,000,000 people is Maricopa County.

The federal Older Americans Act of 1965 established area agencies on aging, which are public or private nonprofit organizations for an area within the state (42 U.S. Code § 3025). DES has designated eight regions of Arizona, each with their own area agency on aging (DES website).

Provisions

1.   ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteRepeals existing law relating to Elderly Assistance. (Sec. 2)

2.   Establishes the Fund within the DES, to consist of legislative appropriations and be continuously appropriated. (Sec. 3)

3.   Appropriates $7,000,000 in FY 2023 and each subsequent fiscal year from the GF to the Fund. (Sec. 3)

4.   Directs DES to proportionately distribute Fund monies to each area agency on aging that chooses to participate in the Fund to reduce up to 60% of an individual's property tax on a primary residence. (Sec. 3)

5.   Outlines the process for an individual, including an emergency approved individual, to apply to an area agency on aging for property tax assistance. (Sec. 3)

6.   Limits the amount of money that DES and an area agency on aging may retain for administrative costs. (Sec. 3)

7.   Requires an annual report from each area agency on aging to DES by November 1, and from DES to the Governor and Legislature by December 31. (Sec. 3)

8.   Defines relevant terms. (Sec. 3)

9.   Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1)

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13.                    HB 2477

14.  Initials AF  Page 0 Appropriations

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