SJR 2 (Bettencourt) would increase the mandatory homestead exemption for school districts from $25,000 to $40,000. This would go to voters during the May 7, 2022 election and, if approved, would take effect for the tax year beginning January 1, 2022. The SJR was submitted to Senate Finance and voted out this evening before being taken up on the floor and after rules were suspended. Bill author Sen. Paul Bettencourt said when laying out the bill that public school districts will be held harmless, the intent is that state share will increase. The SJR was voted out of the Senate unanimously before heading to the House where it was referred to House Ways and Means. House Speaker Phelan provided a 1-hour notice to the House that a motion will come up to suspend the rules in order to take up SJR 2 this evening. SB 1, currently in conference committee, is the enabling legislation for SJR 2.
