SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 44

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 15, 1996

 

 

By Senator BUBBA

 

 

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

 

    Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly 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 citizen and resident of this State of the age of 62 or more years, 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 district 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 1995, or if the citizen and resident becomes 62 years of age after 1995, in the year in which he becomes 62, whichever year is later. The Legislature may limit the applicability of this paragraph to those persons whose incomes do not exceed such amounts as the Legislature may from time to time establish. 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 citizens and residents of the age of 62 or more years, 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.'

    b. In every municipality the following question:


 

 

SENIOR CITIZEN DISTRICT 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 citizens and residents of this State of the age of 62 or more years who have owned a dwelling house or condominium in this State, which freeze the amount of district school tax that person is obligated to pay at the rate established in the year 1995, or if the citizen and resident becomes 62 years of age after 1995, in the year in which he becomes 62, and, which allows the Legislature to establish a maximum income eligibility standard, 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 district school tax a senior citizen is obligated to pay at the rate established in the year 1995, or if the citizen and resident becomes 62 years of age after 1995, in the year in which he becomes 62. This bill also provides for reimbursement by the State to each taxing district for the amount of property tax relief allowed, and allows the Legislature to establish a maximum income eligibility standard.

STATEMENT

 

    This amendment to the Constitution would authorize the Legislature to freeze the amount of district school tax a senior citizen is obligated to pay at the rate in effect for the year 1995, or if the citizen and resident becomes 62 years of age after 1995, in the year in which he reaches the age of 62. The proposed amendment also permits the Legislature to set maximum income standards on such a school district tax freeze. The proposed amendment also provides for reimbursement by the State to each taxing district for the amount of property tax relief allowed.

 

 

 

Proposes amendment to Constitution to permit legislation to freeze school district taxes for senior citizens.