Amendment #788 to H4000

SENIOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF STUDY

Ms. Harrington of Groton moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:-

“SECTION XX. There shall be a special commission to study the feasibility of property tax relief for senior citizens.  The special commission shall consist of the commissioner of revenue, who shall serve as chair; the secretary of elder affairs, or a designee; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on elder affairs, or their designees; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on revenue, or their designees; 1 appointee to be chosen by the minority leader of the house of representatives; 1 appointee to be chosen by the minority leader of the senate; and the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, or a designee.

The commission shall collect and examine data relative to the need for property tax relief for owners of residential property located in the commonwealth, who are 65 years of age or older, who are not dependent of another taxpayer, and who occupy said property as their principal residence. Data shall include, but not be limited to, the total amount of said residential property per each city and town, the total annual amount of property tax obligations per each city and town, socioeconomic profiles for owners aged 65 or older, and the affordability of the Commonwealth financing said tax obligations.

The commission shall be empowered to hold regular public meetings, fact-finding hearings and other public forums as it considers necessary. The commission shall file its recommendations, together with recommendations for legislation, with the clerks of the house of representatives and senate on or before September 30, 2014.”.