2003 Senate Bill 520 / Public Act 105

Introduced in the Senate

May 27, 2003

Introduced by Sen. Cameron Brown (R-16)

To establish an audit process to ensure that property owners do not claim homestead property tax exemptions on more than one property, and give local governments greater authority to seek out improper exemptions. The bill would establish a process whereby local governments and the Department of Treasury would cooperate in the audit process. Counties which elect to participate would be entitled to a share of any previously unpaid taxes a local government collects on non-homestead properties which are found to have been taxed at the lower homestead rate.

Referred to the Committee on Finance

June 12, 2003

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

June 17, 2003

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one containing changes in the procedures by which local governments and the Department of Treasury would cooperate to find improper homestead exemptions, and the formula by which they would divide additional revenue. These changes address concerns regarding the legality of provisions in the original version of the bill allowing counties to keep ten-percent of any previously unpaid taxes.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 36 to 0 (details)

To establish an audit process to ensure that property owners do not claim homestead property tax exemptions on more than one property, and give local governments greater authority to seek out improper exemptions. The bill would establish a process whereby local governments and the Department of Treasury would cooperate in the audit process. Local governments which elect to participate would be entitled to a share of any previously unpaid taxes a local government collects on non-homestead properties which are found to have been taxed at the lower homestead rate. The bill would also make the filing deadline for a principal residence exemption December 31 of the previous year, rather than the current May 1 of the year for which the exemption is claimed.

Received in the House

June 17, 2003

Referred to the Committee on Tax Policy

June 18, 2003

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

June 26, 2003

Amendment offered by Rep. James Koetje (R-86)

To clarify a proposed provision in assessment notices relating to whether an individual has purchased a home "after December 31 last year." The amendment would change this to simply say "this year".

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. James Koetje (R-86)

To clarify that taxes owed by the previous seller of a house cannot become a lien on the new owner.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Lorence Wenke (R-63)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one containing further revisions in the procedures by which local governments and the Department of Treasury would cooperate to find improper homestead exemptions, and the formula by which they would divide additional revenue.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 105 to 0 (details)

To establish an audit process to ensure that property owners do not claim homestead property tax exemptions on more than one property, and give local governments greater authority to seek out improper exemptions. The bill would establish a process whereby local governments and the Department of Treasury would cooperate in the audit process. Local governments which elect to participate would be entitled to a share of any previously unpaid taxes a local government collects on non-homestead properties which are found to have been taxed at the lower homestead rate. The bill would also make the filing deadline for a principal residence exemption December 31 of the previous year, rather than the current May 1 of the year for which the exemption is claimed.

Received in the Senate

July 1, 2003

July 2, 2003

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

July 24, 2003