OLR Bill Analysis

SB 904

AN ACT CONCERNING TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING CHANGES TO CERTAIN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AND MUNICIPAL GRANT PROGRAMS.

SUMMARY:

This bill makes minor and technical changes in requirements for Local Capital Improvement Program (LOCIP) payments and application procedures for the Renters' Tax Relief Program. It also corrects an erroneous reference relating to the state-reimbursed property tax freeze program for the elderly and disabled.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage

LOCIP

The bill explicitly requires the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) secretary to certify the amount of a municipality's LOCIP grant to the comptroller to allow the comptroller to draw a payment order on the state treasurer to actually pay the grant. Current law requires the comptroller to draw the payment order within five business days after the municipality certifies to the OPM secretary that its application for the grant meets the law's requirements, but does not contain any mechanism for certifying the grant amount to the comptroller. The bill, instead, requires the comptroller to draw the order within five business days after the OPM secretary certifies the grant amount to the comptroller.

RENTERS' TAX RELIEF PROGRAM APPLICATIONS

The state elderly and renters' tax relief program reimburses rent and utility costs for low-income recipients. The bill makes minor and technical changes in the program's application paperwork. It eliminates a requirement that the OPM secretary furnish application forms to local assessors and instead requires that the secretary simply specify the form and manner to apply. It eliminates the requirement that the certificate of grant the assessor must issue to approved recipients be (1) in triplicate, (1) supplied by OPM, and (3) forwarded to OPM for payment with the grant application and supporting documents attached.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee

Joint Favorable