ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 79

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED MAY 13, 1996

 

 

By Assemblyman DALTON

 

 

A Concurrent Resolution proposing to amend Article VIII, Section I of the Constitution of the State of New Jersey.

 

    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 the addition of a new paragraph 8 to read as follows:

    8. The Legislature may, from time to time, enact laws entitling a senior citizen and resident of this State who is eligible for the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled program pursuant to P.L.1975, c.194, who has owned a dwelling house or condominium in this State for the previous two years, and who is residing in a dwelling house or condominium owned by him which is a constituent part of his real property, to continue to pay school taxes on such real property in an amount no greater than the amount of district school taxes levied on that real property in the year 1996, or if the senior citizen and resident becomes eligible for the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled program after 1996, in the year in which he becomes eligible for the program, whichever is later. The State shall annually reimburse each taxing district for the amount of tax revenue the taxing district would have received on the real property of senior citizens and residents eligible for the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled program, except that the provisions of any law enacted pursuant thereto shall not be considered a deduction or exemption within the provisions of paragraph 4 of this Section I of Article VIII and laws enacted pursuant thereto.

 

    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 (•) in the square opposite the word 'Yes.' If you are opposed thereto make a cross (X), plus (+) or check (•) in the square opposite the word 'No.'

    In every municipality the following question:



 

 

SENIOR CITIZEN SCHOOL TAX FREEZE




















 

YES

Should the amendment agreed to by the Legislature, to add a new paragraph 8 to Section I of Article VIII of the New Jersey Constitution which authorizes the Legislature to enact laws for senior citizens and residents of this State who are eligible for the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) program and who have owned a dwelling house or condominium in this State for the previous two years, to freeze the amount of school tax that person is obligated to pay at the 1996 year level, or if the senior citizen and resident becomes eligible for the PAAD program after 1996, to freeze the amount of school tax at the level of the year in which he becomes eligible for the program, and provides for reimbursement by the State to each taxing district for the amount of property tax relief allowed, be approved?

 

 

INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT




















 

NO

This amendment authorizes the Legislature to freeze the amount of school tax a senior citizen who is eligible for the PAAD program is obligated to pay at the 1996 year level; or if the senior citizen becomes eligible after 1996, the amount of school tax shall be frozen at the level of the year in which he becomes eligible for the PAAD program. To be eligible for PAAD benefits, a senior citizen must be 65 years of age and over and have an annual income of less than $17,056 if single or, if married, a combined income of less than $20,913. The PAAD program provides payment to pharmacies for the cost of prescription drugs of eligible persons which exceed a $5.00 copayment. The amendment provides that the State shall reimburse each taxing district for the amount of property tax relief allowed.

 


STATEMENT

 

    This amendment to the Constitution authorizes the Legislature to enact laws which freeze the amount of school tax a senior citizen who is eligible to receive benefits under the Pharmaceutical Assistance for the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) program is obligated to pay at the 1996 year level; or if the senior citizen becomes eligible for the PAAD program after 1996, the amount of school tax shall be frozen at the level of the year in which he becomes eligible for the program. The PAAD program provides payment to pharmacies for the cost of prescription drugs of eligible persons which exceed a $5.00 copayment. The proposed Constitutional amendment further requires the State to reimburse each taxing district for the amount of property tax relief provided to eligible senior citizens.

 

 

                             

Proposes an amendment to the Constitution to freeze school

taxes for senior citizens eligible for PAAD program.