Bill > HB271

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would authorize parish governing authorities in Louisiana to increase the homestead exemption by up to an additional $5,000, raising the total possible exemption from $7,500 to $12,500. Currently, homeowners are exempt from state, parish, and special ad valorem (property) taxes on up to $7,500 of their property's assessed value. The proposed amendment would allow individual parishes to decide whether to increase this exemption, giving local governments more flexibility in providing property tax relief. If approved by voters in the November 3, 2026 election, the amendment would become effective on January 1, 2027, and apply to property taxes beginning in the 2027 tax year. The bill maintains existing homestead exemption provisions for specific groups like veterans with service-connected disabilities and first responders, and would only increase the base exemption amount. Voters will be asked to approve the amendment through a ballot proposition that directly asks if they support allowing parishes to increase the homestead exemption to up to $12,500.