Bill Text: NJ ACR33 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Proposes constitutional amendment authorizing municipalities, by ordinance, to provide partial property tax exemption on primary residence of certain volunteer first responders.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 11-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-09 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee [ACR33 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2024-ACR33-Introduced.html

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ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 33

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

221st LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  ROBERT AUTH

District 39 (Bergen and Passaic)

Assemblyman  JOHN DIMAIO

District 23 (Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblymen Clifton, Bergen, Assemblywoman Dunn, Assemblymen Sauickie, Webber, Barranco, DePhillips, Peterson and Assemblywoman Flynn

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Proposes constitutional amendment authorizing municipalities, by ordinance, to provide partial property tax exemption on primary residence of certain volunteer first responders.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

  

A Concurrent Resolution proposing to amend Article VIII, Section I of the New Jersey Constitution by adding a new paragraph 8.

 

     Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

 

     1.  The following proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey is hereby agreed to:

 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT

 

     Amend Article VIII, Section I by adding a new paragraph to read as follows:

     8. The Legislature shall enact a law authorizing a municipality, by ordinance, to provide a partial property tax exemption up to ten percent of the assessed value of residential real property located in the municipality that is owned by, and serves as the primary residence of, an active member of a volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid or rescue squad incorporated pursuant to the laws of this State and serving the residents of the municipality.

     Nothing in this paragraph shall require the State to reimburse municipalities for foregone property tax revenue resulting from the exemption authorized in this paragraph.

 

     2.  When this proposed amendment to the Constitution is finally agreed to pursuant to Article IX, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, it shall be submitted to the people at the next general election occurring more than three months after the final agreement and shall be published at least once in at least one newspaper of each county designated by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the General Assembly, and the Secretary of State, not less than three months prior to the general election.

 

     3.  This proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be submitted to the people at that election in the following manner and form:

     There shall be printed on each official ballot to be used at the general election, the following:

     a. In every municipality in which voting machines are not used, a legend which shall immediately precede the question as follows:

     If you favor the proposition printed below make a cross (X), plus (+), or check (a) in the square opposite the word "Yes." If you are opposed thereto make a cross (X), plus (+) or check (a) in the square opposite the word "No."

     b.  In every municipality the following question:

		CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AUTHORIZING MUNICIPALITIES TO PROVIDE PARTIAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION ON PRIMARY RESIDENCE OF CERTAIN VOLUNTEER FIRST RESPONDERS
	YES	Do you approve amending the Constitution to allow municipal governing bodies to provide a partial property tax exemption on the homes of volunteer first responders?     An eligible first responder is an active member of a volunteer fire department or a volunteer first aid or ambulance squad that serves the municipality.     The amount of the exemption would be up to ten percent of the home's assessed value.     The municipality would decide the amount of the exemption.     The State would not be required to reimburse municipalities for the cost of the exemption.

 

		INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT
	NO	This proposed amendment to the State Constitution would allow municipal governing bodies to provide a partial property tax exemption on the homes of volunteer first responders.     The exemption would mean the volunteer first responder would not pay property taxes on part of the home's assessed value.  The municipality would decide the percentage amount of the exemption.     An eligible first responder would be an active member of a volunteer fire department or a volunteer first aid or ambulance squad that serves the municipality.     The home would have to be the volunteer's primary residence.     The home would have to be located in the municipality in which the volunteer serves.     The amount of the exemption would be up to ten percent of the home's assessed value.     The municipality would decide the percentage amount of the exemption.     The State would not be required to reimburse municipalities for the cost of the exemption.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     If approved by the voters of the State, this proposed constitutional amendment would authorize a municipality, by ordinance, to provide a partial property tax exemption on the primary residence of volunteer first responders serving in the municipality.  The exemption would mean the volunteer first responder would not pay property taxes on part of the home's assessed value.

     An eligible first responder would be an active member of a volunteer fire department or a volunteer first aid or ambulance squad who owns a home in the municipality in which the volunteer serves, and the home must be the volunteer's primary residence.

     The municipality would decide the percentage amount of the exemption, which cannot exceed 10 percent of the assessed value.

     The State would not be required to reimburse municipalities for the cost of the exemption.