Here is the ballot "summary" that will appear on the Jan. 29 ballot:
CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION ARTICLE VII, SECTIONS 3, 4, AND 6 ARTICLE XII,
SECTION 27
PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS; LIMITATIONS ON PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS — This
revision proposes changes to the State Constitution relating to property
taxation. With respect to homestead property, this revision: (1) increases the
homestead exemption for levies other than school district levies and (2)
provides for the transfer of Save-Our-Homes benefits. With respect to
nonhomestead property, this revision (3) provides a $25,000 exemption for
tangible personal property and (4) provides for limitations on assessment
increases for specified real property that is not homestead property for levies
other than school district levies.
In more detail, this revision:
(1) Increases the homestead exemption by exempting the assessed value greater
than $50,000 and up to $75,000. This exemption does not apply to school district
levies.
(2) Provides for the transfer of accumulated Save-Our-Homes benefits.
Homestead property owners will be able to transfer their Save-Our-Homes
benefit to a new homestead within 1 year and not more than 2 years after
relinquishing their previous homestead; except, if this revision is approved by
the electors in January of 2008 and if the new homestead is established on
January 1, 2008, the previous homestead must have been relinquished in 2007. If
the new homestead has a higher just value than the old one, the accumulated
benefit can be transferred; if the new homestead has a lower just value, the
amount of benefit transferred will be reduced. The transferred benefit may not
exceed $500,000. This provision applies to all tax levies.
(3) Authorizes an exemption from property taxes of $25,000 of assessed value
of tangible personal property. This provision applies to all tax levies.
(4) Limits the assessment increase for specified real property that is not
entitled to the homestead exemption to 10 percent each year.
Property will be assessed at just value following an improvement, as defined
by general law, and may be assessed at just value following a change of
ownership or control if provided by general law. This limitation does not apply
to school district levies. This limitation is repealed effective January 1,
2019, unless renewed by a vote of the electors in the general election held in
2018.
Further, this revision:
a. Repeals obsolete language on the homestead exemption when it was less than
$25,000 and did not apply uniformly to property taxes levied by all local
governments.
b. Provides for homestead exemptions to be repealed if a future
constitutional amendment provides for assessment of homesteads "at less than
just value" rather than as currently provided "at a specified percentage" of
just value.
c. Schedules the changes to take effect upon approval by the electors and
operate retroactively to January 1, 2008, if approved in a special election held
on January 29, 2008, or to take effect January 1, 2009, if approved in the
general election held in November of 2008. The limitation on annual assessment
increases for specified real property shall first apply to the 2009 tax roll if
this revision is approved in a special election held on January 29, 2008, or
shall first apply to the 2010 tax roll if this revision is approved in the
general election held in November of 2008.