Bill Text: NJ SCR69 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

New Jersey Senate Concurrent Resolution 69 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Proposes constitutional amendment requiring Legislature to enact statute authorizing property tax deduction for primary residence of volunteer firefighter, first aid or emergency services squad member.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-02-08 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee [SCR69 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2010-SCR69-Introduced.html

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 69

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

214th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 8, 2010

Sponsored by:

Senator ANTHONY R. BUCCO

District 25 (Morris)

SYNOPSIS

Proposes constitutional amendment requiring Legislature to enact statute authorizing property tax deduction for primary residence of volunteer fire fighter, first aid or emergency services squad member.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

As introduced.

A Concurrent Resolution proposing to amend Article VIII, Section I of the Constitution of the State of New Jersey by adding a new paragraph 8 thereto.

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 agreed to:

PROPOSED AMENDMENT

Amend Article VIII, Section I by adding a new paragraph 8 to read as follows:

8. The Legislature shall enact a law entitling a resident of this State, who has been for the entire tax year an active member of a volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid, rescue or emergency services squad or association, or an active, volunteer member of a part-paid fire department, incorporated pursuant to the laws of this State and serving one or more counties or municipalities in this State, to an annual property tax deduction against a tax bill for taxes on residential real property owned and occupied by that person as his primary residence. The amount of the annual deduction shall be $250 for each of the first five years of volunteer service, $500 for each of the sixth through tenth years of service; $750 for each of the eleventh through fifteenth years of service, and $1000 for each year beginning with the sixteenth year of service. The statute so enacted shall require that the State shall annually reimburse municipalities for the total amount of property tax deductions provided pursuant to this paragraph. The property tax deduction granted pursuant to this paragraph shall be in addition to any other property tax deduction for which the resident shall be eligible, notwithstanding the provisions of Article VIII, Section I, paragraph 4 of this Constitution.

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

b. In every municipality the following question:

		CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO REQUIRE PROPERTY TAX DEDUCTION FOR PRIMARY RESIDENCES OF VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND VOLUNTEER FIRST AID, RESCUE OR EMERGENCY SERVICES SQUAD MEMBERS
	YES	Shall the amendment to Article VIII, Section I of the New Jersey Constitution, agreed to by the Legislature, and requiring the Legislature to adopt a statute that authorizes an annual deduction against real property taxes on the primary residence of any State resident who is a homeowner, and has served for the entire tax year as a volunteer fire fighter or volunteer first aid, rescue squad or emergency services squad member, in the amount of $250 for each of the first five years of volunteer service, $500 for each of the sixth through tenth years of service, $750 for each of the eleventh through fifteenth years of service, and $1000 for each year beginning with the sixteenth year of service, and also requiring the State to annually reimburse municipalities for the total amount of property tax deductions provided, be approved?
		INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT
	NO	This proposed constitutional amendment requires the Legislature to enact a law that will entitle State residents who are homeowners and who have served for the entire tax year as volunteer fire fighters or volunteer first aid, rescue squad or emergency services squad members to an annual real property tax deduction against the tax bill of their primary residence. The amendment requires the amount of the annual property tax deduction to be $250 for each of the first five years of volunteer service, $500 for each of the sixth through tenth years of service, $750 for each of the eleventh through fifteenth years of service, and $1000 for each year beginning with the sixteenth year of service. Under the amendment, the statute enacted by the Legislature must contain a provision requiring the State to annually reimburse municipalities for the total amount of those property tax deductions.

STATEMENT

If approved by the voters of the State, this proposed Constitutional amendment would require the Legislature to enact a statute entitling State residents who have been for the entire tax year an active member of a volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid, rescue or emergency services squad or association, or an active, volunteer member of a part-paid fire department, incorporated pursuant to State law and serving one or more counties or municipalities, to an annual property tax deduction against the property tax bill on their owner-occupied primary residence. The amount of the annual property tax deduction would be $250 for each of the first five years of volunteer service, $500 for each of the sixth through tenth years of service, $750 for each of the eleventh through fifteenth years of service, and $1000 for each year beginning with the sixteenth year of service. Any statute enacted pursuant to this proposed amendment would require the State to annually reimburse municipalities for the total amount of property tax credits provided pursuant to this amendment.