AB 1596: Property taxation: base year value transfers.

The California Constitution and existing property tax law authorize a person who is either severely disabled or over 55 years of age to transfer the base year value, as defined, of property that is eligible for the homeowners property tax exemption to a replacement dwelling that is of equal or lesser value located within the same county as the property from which the base year value is transferred, and if a county ordinance so providing has been adopted, to a replacement dwelling that is located in a different county.

This bill, on or after January 1, 2019, would expand this authorization to transfer the base year value of an original property to a person who is the parent or legal guardian of a severely and permanently disabled child and resides with the child.

By changing the manner in which local assessors assess property for property taxation purposes, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Existing law requires the state to reimburse local agencies annually for certain property tax revenues lost as a result of any exemption or classification of property for purposes of ad valorem property taxation.

This bill would provide that, notwithstanding those provisions, no appropriation is made and the state shall not reimburse local agencies for property tax revenues lost by them pursuant to the bill.

This bill would take effect immediately as a tax levy but would become operative only if Assembly Constitutional Amendment 12 of the 201718 Regular Session is approved by the voters.