The Legislative Session kicked off today with Governor Kelly Armstrong delivering his first State of the State Address. The 34th Governor told lawmakers real property tax relief and reform must be the number one priority on the Legislature’s agenda. He called for delivering the most significant plan possible that can be both aggressive and durable.
Governor Armstrong provided some insight into what a plan should include:
- Increase the existing Primary Residency Credit from $500 to $1,000 per year at a cost of about $310 million for the 2025-27 biennium.
- Provide an additional $550 per primary residence credit by using a dedicated stream of the Legacy Fund earnings at a cost of $173 million next biennium.
- The total combined primary residence relief would be up to $1550 per year in 2025-27.
- Expansion of Homestead Tax Credit
- Armstrong didn’t get into the details but did indicate the plan would include reform by capping future increases in local budgets at 3% and allowing for a carry-over of unused cap.
“We can afford it. The people of North Dakota are demanding it.” Armstrong said. “It creates Legacy Fund buy-in. And it is the single most impactful thing we can do for the citizens of North Dakota this session.”
“Today Governor Armstrong announced a bold vision for all North Dakotans. Building a state that is the best in the country to live, work and raise a family is a vision shared by county officials across the state. We look forward to working with the governor and the legislature to find the best way to fund essential services that are delivered by local governments,” stated NDACo Executive Director Aaron Birst.
While unofficial, we are hearing reports of there being 65 property tax bills being drafted. Governor Armstrong’s proposal is one of many that will be discussed.
Committee hearings are being held on a number of pre-filed bills Wednesday-Friday. While we don’t have a county-related specific schedule of these hearings you can see the full schedule here:
https://ndlegis.gov/sites/default/files/documents/housecommitteehearingreport.pdf: Property Taxes Relief & Reform Highlighted in State of State Address https://ndlegis.gov/sites/default/files/documents/senatecommitteehearingreport.pdf: Property Taxes Relief & Reform Highlighted in State of State Address
North Dakota Counties Legislative Blog 