Amendment ID: S2124-11-R1

Redraft Amendment 11

Property tax relief commission

Messrs. Brady and Timilty move to amend the bill by inserting after section 17 the following section:-

“SECTION 17A.  There shall be a commission to study the viability of achieving property tax relief for residents and businesses of the commonwealth pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws. The commission shall review and evaluate all property tax laws and the impact of those laws on local governments, residents and businesses. The commission shall examine the experiences and policy efforts of other states relating to property tax relief and review existing state laws relative to the assessment and abatement of local property taxes.

The commission shall file a report, together with any drafts of proposed legislation to reduce property taxes and provide tax relief for residents and businesses of the commonwealth, with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives not later than February 15, 2018.

The commission shall consist of the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on revenue or their designees, who shall serve as co-chairs of the commission; the secretary of administration and finance or a designee; the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on municipalities and regional government or their designees; the minority leader of the house of representatives or a designee; the minority leader of the senate or a designee; a representative of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Inc.; a representative of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, Inc.; a representative of the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers, Inc.; and a representative of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, Inc.”.