AJR50: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-1426/1

PJD:kmg:hmh

1999 - 2000 LEGISLATURE

1999 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 50

May 6, 1999 - Introduced by Representatives Black, Kreuser, Berceau, J. Lehman, Hasenohrl, Bock, Ryba, Boyle, Miller, Carpenter, La Fave and Reynolds, cosponsored by Senator Baumgart. Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.

AJR50,1,3 To amend section 1 of article VIII of the constitution; relating to: authorizing the legislature to reduce property taxes on principal dwellings owned and occupied by residents of this state (first consideration).

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This proposed constitutional amendment, proposed to the 1999 legislature on first consideration, permits the legislature to reduce property taxes on principal dwellings owned and occupied by residents of this state by creating a tax exemption from all property taxes, or from all property taxes levied for school purposes, in a dollar amount fixed by the legislature.

The general statement of the Wisconsin Constitution that the "rule of taxation shall be uniform" is already subject to a number of exceptions: real estate taxes may be collected in more than one way; forests, minerals, agricultural land, undeveloped land and certain kinds of personal property may be taxed differently than is other property; and nonuniform income taxes, privilege taxes and occupational taxes may be imposed.

In addition to the substantive changes, this joint resolution makes stylistic changes and breaks this section into subsections to facilitate future amendments and to avoid conflicts if other amendments to this section are proposed.

A constitutional amendment requires adoption by 2 successive legislatures, and ratification by the people, before it can become effective. The proposed amendment is not self-executing; consequently, even after ratification, no change will occur until the legislature enacts laws authorizing the property tax exemption.

AJR50,2,1 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That:

AJR50, s. 1 Section 1. Section 1 of article VIII of the constitution is amended to read:

AJR50,2,4 [Article VIII] Section 1. The rule of taxation shall be uniform but the except as follows:

AJR50,2,6 (1) The legislature may empower by law authorize cities, villages or towns to collect and return taxes on real estate located therein by optional methods.

AJR50,2,9 (2) Taxes shall be levied upon such property with such classifications as to forests and minerals including or separate or severed from the land, as the legislature shall prescribe prescribes by law.

AJR50,2,12 (3) Taxation of agricultural land and undeveloped land, both as defined by law, need not be uniform with the taxation of each other nor with the taxation of other real property.

AJR50,2,18 (4) Taxation of merchants' stock-in-trade, manufacturers' materials and finished products, and livestock need not be uniform with the taxation of real property and other personal property, but the taxation of all such merchants' stock-in-trade, manufacturers' materials and finished products and livestock shall be uniform, except that the legislature may provide by law that the value thereof shall be determined on an average basis. Taxes may also be imposed

AJR50,2,21 (5) The legislature may by law impose taxes on incomes, privileges and occupations, which taxes may be graduated and progressive, and reasonable exemptions may be provided.

AJR50,3,3 (6) The legislature may reduce property taxes imposed on principal dwellings, as defined by law, which are owned and occupied by residents of this state by creating a tax exemption from all property taxes, or from all property taxes levied for school purposes, in a dollar amount that the legislature provides by law. The dollar amount must be uniform throughout the state.

AJR50,3,6 Be it further resolved, That this proposed amendment be referred to the legislature to be chosen at the next general election and that it be published for 3 months previous to the time of holding such election.

AJR50,3,7 (End)