What can we expect for property tax relief after the 2023 session?

The short version: H292 was the property tax bill of the 2023 Legislative Session. This complicated bill will have many implications, but will provide some property tax relief to Idahoans.

The long version: It was disappointing to watch the tug-of-war between the different bodies of government over the issue of property taxes when I think there are more simple fixes to this serious issue, but ultimately we will see some property tax relief from 292.

There were two bills early on which I supported, one which would have fixed the shift in property taxes that has occurred over the last several years from commercial to residential properties since the legislature removed indexing in 2016. Another would have put excess sales tax funding directly to property tax relief. Unfortunately these bills could not move forward because House majority leadership:
(1) was catering to special interests that would be affected by a shift in property taxes, and
(2) refused to support a bill which did not remove the March election date for schools.

A third bill was presented later in the session which was a Frankenstein of a bill. The bill removed the March election date for schools and had huge implications for local taxing districts. In addition, analysis showed that this bill would only provide short-term property tax relief for residents. Nonetheless the bill was quickly ushered through the end of session.

Our Governor realized some language in the bill would shut down major transportation projects across the state and had major concerns about removing the March election date for schools, and vetoed the bill. The Senate then presented a new bill without these issues, which failed in the House. The House then and brought 292 back with some issues addressed.

In the end, I supported the passage of 292, and some estimates show the average homeowner getting up to $600 in property tax relief in the first year after this bill’s passage, with that amount declining over time. However, I am disappointed that the issue of property tax couldn't be addressed in a more simple, straightforward, and long-term manner focused on direct property tax relief for homeowners, without negative implications for our schools.