Connecticut 2021 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 15 D · 9 R cosponsors

HB 6458 — AN ACT LOWERING THE AGE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO PROTECT SENIOR CITIZENS FROM FRAUD.

Last action — SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 17, 2021. Enacted.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 78% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 31 sponsors

    31 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (15 D · 9 R) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

184 added · 315 removed

184 line(s) added, 315 removed.

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Previous
Latest
House of Representatives File No.
House Bill No.
771 General Assembly January Session, 2021(Reprint of File No.
6458 Public Act No.
385) House Bill No.
21-84 AN ACT LOWERING THE AGE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO PROTECT SENIOR CITIZENS FROM FRAUD.
6458 As Amended by House Amendment Schedule "A" Approved by the Legislative Commissioner June 1, 2021 AN ACT LOWERING THE AGE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO PROTECT SENIOR CITIZENS FROM FRAUD.
(3) has been, HB6458 / File No.
(3) has been, or his or her spouse has been, a resident of the state for at least one year before applying for tax relief pursuant to this section and section 12- 170w;
771 HB6458 File No.
771 or his or her spouse has been, a resident of the state for at least one year before applying for tax relief pursuant to this section and section 12- 170w;
[(a)] (b) Any municipality, upon approval of its legislative body may providethat an ownerof realproperty or any tenant for life or for a term of years liable for property taxes under section 12-48 who [meets the qualifications stated in this subsection] is a qualified taxpayer shall be entitled to pay the tax levied on such property, calculated in accordance with the provisions of subsection [(b)] (c) of this section for the first year the claim for such tax relief is filed and approved in accordance with the provisions of section 12-170w, and such [person] qualified taxpayer shall be entitled to continue to pay the amount of such tax or such lesser amount as may be levied in any year, during each subsequent year that such [person meets such qualifications, and the surviving spouse of such owner or tenant, qualified in accordance with the requirements pertaining to a surviving spouse in this subsection] qualified taxpayer, or any owner or tenant possessing a joint interest in such property with such [owner] qualified taxpayer at the time of such [owner's] qualified taxpayer's death and qualified at such time in accordance with the requirements in this subsection, shall be entitled to continue to pay the amount of such tax or such lesser amount as may be levied in any year, as it becomes due each year following the death of such [owner] taxpayer for as long as such [surviving spouse or] joint owner or joint tenant is qualified in accordance with the requirements in this [subsection] section.
House Bill No.
6458 [(a)] (b) Any municipality, upon approval of its legislative body may providethat an ownerof realproperty or any tenant for life or for a term of years liable for property taxes under section 12-48 who [meets the qualifications stated in this subsection] is a qualified taxpayer shall be entitled to pay the tax levied on such property, calculated in accordance with the provisions of subsection [(b)] (c) of this section for the first year the claim for such tax relief is filed and approved in accordance with the provisions of section 12-170w, and such [person] qualified taxpayer shall be entitled to continue to pay the amount of such tax or such lesser amount as may be levied in any year, during each subsequent year that such [person meets such qualifications, and the surviving spouse of such owner or tenant, qualified in accordance with the requirements pertaining to a surviving spouse in this subsection] qualified taxpayer, or any owner or tenant possessing a joint interest in such property with such [owner] qualified taxpayer at the time of such [owner's] qualified taxpayer's death and qualified at such time in accordance with the requirements in this subsection, shall be entitled to continue to pay the amount of such tax or such lesser amount as may be levied in any year, as it becomes due each year following the death of such [owner] taxpayer for as long as such [surviving spouse or] joint owner or joint tenant is qualified in accordance with the requirements in this [subsection] section.
Any such [owner or tenant who is qualified in accordance with this section and any such surviving spouse] qualified taxpayer or joint ownerorjointtenantsurvivinguponthedeathofsuch [ownerortenant] qualified taxpayer, shall be entitled to pay such tax in the amount as provided in this section for so long as such [owner or tenant or such HB6458 / File No.
Any such [owner or tenant who is qualified in accordance with this section and any such surviving spouse] qualified taxpayer or joint ownerorjointtenantsurvivinguponthedeathofsuch [ownerortenant] qualified taxpayer, shall be entitled to pay such tax in the amount as provided in this section for so long as such [owner or tenant or such surviving spouse] qualified taxpayer or joint owner or joint tenant continuesto be so qualified.
771 HB6458 File No.
771 surviving spouse] qualified taxpayer or joint owner or joint tenant continuesto be so qualified.
(1) On December thirty-first of the calendar year preceding the year in which a claim is filed, be (A) seventy years of age or over, (B) the spouse of a person, seventy years of age or over, provided such spouse is domiciled withsuchperson,or (C)sixty-two yearsofageor over andthesurviving spouse of a taxpayer who at the time of such taxpayer's death had qualified and was entitled to tax relief under this section, provided such surviving spouse was domiciled with such taxpayer at the time of the taxpayer's death, (2) occupy such real property as his or her home, (3) either spouse shall have resided within this state for at least one year before filing the claim under this section and section 12-170w, (4) the taxable and nontaxable income of such taxpayer, the total of which shall hereinafter be called "qualifying income", in the tax year of such homeowner ending immediately preceding the date of application for benefits under the program in this section, was not in excess of limits set forth in section 12-170aa, as adjusted annually, evidence of which income shall be submitted] A claimant for relief under this section shall submit evidence of income to the assessor in the municipality in which application for benefits under this section is filed in such form and manner as the assessor may prescribe.
(1) On December thirty-first of the calendar year preceding the year in which a Public Act No.
21-84 2 of 7 House Bill No.
6458 claim is filed, be (A) seventy years of age or over, (B) the spouse of a person, seventy years of age or over, provided such spouse is domiciled withsuchperson,or (C)sixty-two yearsof ageor over andthesurviving spouse of a taxpayer who at the time of such taxpayer's death had qualified and was entitled to tax relief under this section, provided such surviving spouse was domiciled with such taxpayer at the time of the taxpayer's death, (2) occupy such real property as his or her home, (3) either spouse shall have resided within this state for at least one year before filing the claim under this section and section 12-170w, (4) the taxable and nontaxable income of such taxpayer, the total of which shall hereinafter be called "qualifying income", in the tax year of such homeowner ending immediately preceding the date of application for benefits under the program in this section, was not in excess of limits set forth in section 12-170aa, as adjusted annually, evidence of which income shall be submitted] A claimant for relief under this section shall submit evidence of income to the assessor in the municipality in which application for benefits under this section is filed in such form and manner as the assessor may prescribe.
HB6458 / File No.
[(b)] (c) The tax on the real property for which the benefits under this section are claimed shall be the lower of:
771 HB6458 File No.
The tax due with respect to the Public Act No.
771 [(b)] (c) The tax on the real property for which the benefits under this section are claimed shall be the lower of:
21-84 3 of 7 House Bill No.
The tax due with respect to the [homeowner's] qualified taxpayer's residence for the assessment year commencing October first of the year immediately preceding the year in which the initial claim for tax relief is made, or the tax due for any subsequent assessment year.
6458 [homeowner's] qualified taxpayer's residence for the assessment year commencing October first of the year immediately preceding the year in which the initial claim for tax relief is made, or the tax due for any subsequent assessment year.
If such conveyance occurs in the month of October the grantor shall be disqualifiedfor suchtax reliefinsuchassessment year.Thegranteeshall be required within a period not exceeding ten days immediately following the date of such conveyance to notify the assessor thereof, or in the absence of such notice, upon determination by the assessor that HB6458 / File No.
If such conveyance occurs in the month of October the grantor shall be disqualifiedfor suchtax reliefinsuchassessment year.Thegranteeshall be required within a period not exceeding ten days immediately following the date of such conveyance to notify the assessor thereof, or in the absence of such notice, upon determination by the assessor that Public Act No.
771 HB6458 File No.
21-84 4 of 7 House Bill No.
771 such transfer, assignment, grant or conveyance has occurred, the assessor shall determine the amount of tax relief benefit to which the grantor is entitled for such assessment year with respect to the interest in real property conveyed and notify the tax collector of the reduced amount of such benefit.
6458 such transfer, assignment, grant or conveyance has occurred, the assessor shall determine the amount of tax relief benefit to which the grantor is entitled for such assessment year with respect to the interest in real property conveyed and notify the tax collector of the reduced amount of such benefit.
(e)A municipality may,by vote ofitslegislative body,set a minimum age for tax relief under this section that is older than sixty-five for an otherwise qualified taxpayer.
(e)A municipality may,by vote ofitslegislative body, set aminimum age for tax relief under this section that is older than sixty-five for an otherwise qualified taxpayer.
(2) Two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;
Public Act No.
(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of HB6458 / File No.
21-84 5 of 7 House Bill No.
771 HB6458 File No.
6458 (2) Two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;
771 Representatives;
(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives;
(g) Not later than January 1, 2022, the task force shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to aging and human services, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
Public Act No.
The task force shall terminate on the date it HB6458 / File No.
21-84 6 of 7 House Bill No.
771 HB6458 File No.
6458 (g) Not later than January 1, 2022, the task force shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to aging and human services, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
771 submits such report or January 1, 2022, whichever is later.
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
October 1, 2021, and Section 1 12-170v applicable to assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2021 from passage Sec.
2 New section HB6458 / File No.
771 7 HB6458 File No.
771 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.
In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
None Municipal Impact:
Show all 90 changed rows (50 more)
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None Explanation The bill expands eligibility for a local option tax freeze for certain low-income elderly homeowners.
This shifts any increase in property taxes away from program beneficiaries and towards other property taxpayers.
The freeze precludes recipients from paying any increase in property taxes beyond the amount paid during their first year of eligibility.
It is estimated that, between FY 16 and FY 20, the average tax bill increased by approximately $225 annually.
The bill establishes a ten-member task force to study ways to protect senior citizens from fraud.
Such study shall include, but need not be limited to, an examination of whether persons offering planning advice to Medicaid applicants should be required to be elder law attorneys admitted to the bar.
Not later than January 1, 2022, the task force shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the aging and human services committees.
House "A" establishes a ten-member task force to study ways to protect senior citizens from fraud.
Approved June 28, 2021 Public Act No.
This has no fiscal impact.
21-84 7 of 7
HB6458 / File No.
771 8 HB6458 File No.
771 The Out Years State Impact:
None Municipal Impact:
None HB6458 / File No.
771 9 HB6458 File No.
771 OLR Bill Analysis HB 6458 (as amended by House "A")* AN ACT LOWERING THE AGE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR SENIOR CITIZENS.
SUMMARY Starting October 1, 2021, this bill expands eligibility for the local option Elderly Tax Freeze Program by decreasing the program’s minimum age requirement from 70 to 65 years.
However, the bill allows a municipality, by vote of its legislative body, to set the program’s minimum age requirement at older than 65 years.
A municipality that voted to limit program eligibility to individuals ages 70 and older prior to this date is not required to take another vote unless it seeks to lower the program’s minimum age requirement.
Under the program, towns may freeze the property taxes on a home whose owner-occupant or his or her spouse meets the minimum age requirement and has been a state resident for at least one year.
The freeze continues for a surviving spouse who is at least age 62 when the homeowner dies.
Homeowners must also meet the state’s Circuit Breaker Program income limits (currently, $45,800 for a married couple and $37,600 for an individual).
Towns may also impose asset limits for eligibility and place a lien on the property.
Additionally, the bill establishes a 10-member task force to study ways to protect seniors from fraud.
The task force must report its findings and recommendations to the Aging and Human Services committees by January 1, 2022.
The task force terminates that date, or the date it submits the report, whichever is later.
HB6458 / File No.
771 10 HB6458 File No.
771 Lastly, bill makes technical and conforming changes.
*House Amendment “A” adds the task force provisions.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Upon passage for the task force provisions and October 1, 2021, for the tax freeze program provisions, which are applicable to assessment years beginning on or after this date.
TASK FORCE The bill establishes a 10-member task force to study ways to protect seniors from fraud and requires the study to include available planning services for Medicaid applicants.
Under the bill, task force members include:
1.
one member with expertise in fraud perpetrated against seniors andonemember with expertise inMedicaidplanning for seniors, each appointed by the House speaker;
2.
two members appointed by the Senate president pro tempore;
3.
four members, one each appointed by the House and Senate majority and minority leaders;
and 4.
the social services and aging and disability services commissioners, or their designees.
The bill requires appointing authorities to make initial appointments within 30 days after the bill’s passage and fill any vacancies.
Appointed members may be legislators.
Under the bill, the House speaker and Senate president pro tempore must select the task force chairperson from among the task force members.Thechairpersonsmustschedulethefirstmeeting,whichmust be held no later than 60 days after the bill’s passage.
The administrative staff of the Aging Committee serve as the task force’s administrative staff.
HB6458 / File No.
771 11 HB6458 File No.
771 COMMITTEE ACTION Aging Committee Joint Favorable Change of Reference - PD Yea 15 Nay 0 (03/02/2021) Planning and Development Committee Joint Favorable Yea 26 Nay 0 (03/21/2021) HB6458 / File No.
771 12
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Action History

  1. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

  2. TRANSMITTED BY SECRETARY OF THE STATE TO GOVERNOR

  3. TRANSMITTED TO SECRETARY OF THE STATE

  4. PUBLIC ACT 21-84

  5. ON CONSENT CALENDAR /IN CONCURRENCE

  6. SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A

  7. SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A

  8. FILE NO. 771

  9. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 533

  10. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  11. HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

  12. HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

  13. FILE NO. 385

  14. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 298

  15. FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  16. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  17. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/12/21

  18. FILED WITH LCO

  19. Joint Favorable

  20. FAV. CHG. OF REF., SEN. TO COMM. ON Planning and Development

  21. FAV. CHG. OF REF. HOUSE TO COMM. ON Planning and Development

  22. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  23. FILED WITH LCO

  24. Joint Favorable Change of Reference PD

  25. PUBLIC HEARING 0223

  26. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Aging

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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31 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 156 not signed on

Sponsors (31)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (156)

156 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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public-safety taxation civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 6458?
HB 6458 is sponsored by Joseph H. Zullo (Republican), Petit, William A., Michael DiGiovancarlo (Democratic), Green, Robin, Tom Delnicki (Republican), Joshua M. Hall (Democratic), Porter, Robyn A., Conley, Christine, Cheeseman, Holly H., Tammy Nuccio (Republican), Bob Godfrey (Democratic), Geraldo C. Reyes (Democratic), John-Michael Parker (Democratic), Lucy Dathan (Democratic), Phipps, Quentin W., Gary A. Turco (Democratic), Patrick E. Callahan (Republican), Juan R. Candelaria (Democratic), Ronald A. Napoli (Democratic), Kathy Kennedy (Republican), Hilda E. Santiago (Democratic), Arconti, David, Kerry S. Wood (Democratic), Kara Rochelle (Democratic), Donna Veach (Republican), Tami Zawistowski (Republican), Tom O'Dea (Republican), Saud Anwar (Democratic), Larry B. Butler (Democratic), Derell Wilson (Democratic), and Tony J. Scott (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 6458?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 17, 2021. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 6458?
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