Bill > HB420

This bill aims to discontinue property tax levies that are currently authorized to be collected for a continuing period of time by 2030. Specifically, the bill eliminates the ability for local government entities, such as school districts, townships, counties, and special districts, to impose property tax levies that can be collected indefinitely. Instead, all such continuing levies would expire after tax year 2029 and could only be renewed for a specified number of years. The bill makes comprehensive changes to numerous sections of Ohio's Revised Code related to tax levies, removing language that allows for continuing period levies and replacing it with requirements for levies to have a fixed term. Key provisions include: 1. All existing property tax levies currently authorized for a continuing period of time will automatically expire after tax year 2029. 2. These levies can be renewed, but only for a specific number of years, subject to any limitations in the Revised Code. 3. The changes apply to various types of levies, including those for school districts, community colleges, county services, fire districts, police districts, and other local government purposes. 4. For levies that are pledged to pay existing bond or note debt, the expiration will be delayed until those financial obligations are no longer outstanding. 5. The bill requires that any future ballot language for such levies clearly state the specific number of years the tax will be in effect, rather than allowing for a continuing period. The bill is part of what is described as the "Taxpayers Freedom Trilogy - Act One: Discontinuing the Continuum," suggesting it is the first in a series of legislative efforts aimed at providing more taxpayer control over local government taxation. The primary goal appears to be increasing transparency and giving voters more frequent opportunities to review and approve local tax levies.

Budget and Finance

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb420