The bill HB 99-FN-LOCAL aims to enhance awareness and accessibility of the state's property tax rebate program for lower-income homeowners by requiring municipalities to provide detailed information about the program on their tax bills. This information must include the types of tax rebates available, application deadlines, methods to obtain further information, and the income limits for eligibility. The bill also obligates town clerks to mail rebate applications to homeowners who request them, free of charge. It introduces changes to the existing law by renaming the program to "state property tax rebate for lower income homeowners" and substituting the term "tax relief" with "tax rebate" throughout the statutes. Additionally, it adjusts the usage of the education trust fund to align with the new program name and confirms that the state treasurer will pay valid claims from this fund. The bill is scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2024.

The fiscal impact of the bill on local government expenditures is indeterminate, starting in fiscal year 2024. The New Hampshire Municipal Association has expressed concerns that the bill could lead to increased costs for municipalities due to the need to update tax bill language, which may impact software or printing budgets. The requirement for town clerks to send out rebate applications without charging a fee could also lead to new expenses for local governments. The bill does not outline any changes to state or county expenditures, nor does it anticipate any revenue changes. The New Hampshire Municipal Association and the Department of Revenue Administration have been consulted regarding this bill.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 76:11-a, 21-I:18, 198:39, 198:56, 198:57, 198:58, 198:59, 198:60, 198:61