HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION D

January 22, 2007, Introduced by Rep. Hildenbrand and referred to the Committee on Agriculture.

 

     A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the state

 

constitution of 1963, by amending section 3 of article IX, to

 

restrict the assessment of agricultural real property used in

 

agricultural operations.

 

     Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the

 

state of Michigan, That the following amendment to the state

 

constitution of 1963, to restrict the assessment of agricultural

 

real property used in agricultural operations, is proposed, agreed

 

to, and submitted to the people of the state:

 

ARTICLE IX

 

     Sec. 3. The legislature shall provide for the uniform general

 

ad valorem taxation of real and tangible personal property not


 

exempt by law except for taxes levied for school operating

 

purposes. The legislature shall provide for the determination of

 

true cash value of such property; the proportion of true cash value

 

at which such property shall be uniformly assessed, which shall

 

not, after January 1, 1966, exceed 50 percent; and for a system of

 

equalization of assessments. For taxes levied in 2007 and each year

 

after 2007, the legislature shall provide for an assessment system

 

based upon agriculture use value for qualified agricultural

 

property as defined by law. The legislature shall provide for the

 

adjustment of taxable value as provided by law for property that

 

ceases to be qualified agricultural property as defined by law. For

 

taxes levied in 1995 and each year thereafter after 1995, the

 

legislature shall provide that the taxable value of each parcel of

 

property adjusted for additions and losses, shall not increase each

 

year by more than the increase in the immediately preceding year in

 

the general price level, as defined in section 33 of this article,

 

or 5 percent, whichever is less until ownership of the parcel of

 

property is transferred. When ownership of the parcel of property

 

is transferred as defined by law, the parcel shall be assessed at

 

the applicable proportion of current true cash value. The

 

legislature may provide for alternative means of taxation of

 

designated real and tangible personal property in lieu of general

 

ad valorem taxation. Every tax other than the general ad valorem

 

property tax shall be uniform upon the class or classes on which it

 

operates. A law that increases the statutory limits in effect as of

 

February 1, 1994 on the maximum amount of ad valorem property taxes

 

that may be levied for school district operating purposes requires


 

the approval of 3/4 of the members elected to and serving in the

 

Senate and in the House of Representatives.

 

     Resolved further, That the foregoing amendment shall be

 

submitted to the people of the state at the next general election

 

in the manner provided by law.