Substitute Senate Bill No. 362 proposes significant revisions to Connecticut's municipal property tax assessment laws, focusing on improving efficiency and expanding exemptions. Key changes include extending the deadline for towns to submit digital parcel files to regional councils of governments from May 1, 2019, to September 1, 2027, and requiring councils to report to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management by October 1, 2027, on towns that fail to comply. The bill also updates notification methods for property reevaluations from certified mail to electronic means, mandates annual assessed valuations by April 1, and introduces penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, it establishes a committee for training assessment personnel, ensuring diverse municipal representation and requiring members to be certified as "certified Connecticut municipal assessor II."

The bill further modifies property tax exemptions for veterans, expanding eligibility criteria and clarifying application processes. It allows municipalities to grant retroactive tax abatements for up to three years and limits exemptions to a maximum of two acres for veterans starting from assessment years after October 1, 2025. The bill also introduces new provisions for commercial vehicles, allowing tax exemptions for new trucks used exclusively for freight transport and streamlining the application process. Overall, these amendments aim to create a more equitable and efficient property assessment system while providing financial relief to qualifying veterans and simplifying administrative procedures for municipalities.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 12-19b, 12-20b, 12-40a, 12-62g, 12-120c
PD Joint Favorable Substitute: 12-19b, 12-20b, 12-40a, 12-62g, 12-120c
File No. 278: 12-19b, 12-20b, 12-40a, 12-62g, 12-120c