By Carrie Haderlie
Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Via- Wyoming News Exchange

CHEYENNE — Beginning with dozens of property tax bills to consider a month ago, the Senate and House of Representatives passed a final three by a Thursday afternoon deadline. On third reading Thursday, the House of Representatives voted to pass Senate File 54, “Homeowner tax exemption,” which offers a 25% exemption of fair market value of a single-family residential structure to the first $3 million of the home’s fair market value.

The Senate passed House Bill 4, “Property tax refund program,” which expands the state’s current property tax refund program by amending qualifications to allow for a refund to those who make up to 165% of the state’s median gross household. Refunds will be calculated on a sliding scale between 100% to 25% depending on income.

The Senate also passed HB 45, Property tax exemption-residential structures and land, which will cap property taxes. Originally that bill capped property taxes at 5%, but the Senate amended it down to 3%. That bill will have to go to a joint conference committee so lawmakers can agree on a percentage cap.

Sen. Bill Landen, R-Casper, said after the final two bills passed the Senate that he was proud the bills would bring “relief back home.” Sen. Bo Biteman, R-Sheridan, who co-chairs the Joint Revenue Committee with Rep.

Steve Harshman, R-Casper, said that the effort to pass so many property tax bills was a collective one between the two chambers. In the House, Harshman said the property tax bills represented a “significant body of work done in the 67th” Legislative session.

Ashley Harpstreith, executive director for Wyoming Taxpayers Association, said that her organization had advocated for immediate and targeted relief. Of the bills that passed, she said she believes they will interact nicely.

“A majority of Wyoming homeowners will receive some relief, which will be great,” Harpstreith said, adding that there was also a lot of coordination between committee chairs and both chambers as they worked through the proposed bills this session.

“They did a good job and should be commended,” Harpstreith said.