A Levittown-area state lawmaker testified last week before the Pennsylvania House Finance Committee on a bill to expand property tax relief to homeowners who have resided in their homes for at least a decade.
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State Rep. Jim Prokopiak, a Democrat, is the sponsor of House Bill 2536 which aims to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to enable the legislature to implement a statewide Longtime Owner-Occupant Program (LOOP).
According to the Falls Township-based lawmaker’s office, the program would allow long-term homeowners to be exempt from or defer property tax increases, even as home assessment values rise.
Currently, such tax reliefs are confined to Philadelphia and Allegheny counties. Prokopiak’s legislation seeks to make these benefits accessible to all qualifying residents of the state.
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“Property tax reform is one of the biggest needs throughout the state and within my district in Bucks County,” Prokopiak said. “LOOPs help longtime homeowners stay in their homes, especially in areas where housing values are increasing, such as Lower Bucks County.”
For the constitutional amendment proposed in HB 2536 to take effect, it must be passed by both houses of the General Assembly in consecutive sessions and subsequently approved by voters, according to Prokopiak.
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Alongside HB 2536, Prokopiak introduced House Bill 2537, which proposes an optional property tax freeze for homeowners qualifying for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program who have also lived in their homes for more than 10 years.
HB 2537 bill is currently being reviewed by the House Finance Committee.
The bills are part of a broader legislative effort by Prokopiak to address the housing affordability crisis in Pennsylvania.
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Earlier sessions saw the introduction of House Bill 2491, which seeks to exempt building materials used in affordable housing projects from the state sales tax, and House Bill 2515, which encourages local governments to revise zoning laws to increase the availability of affordable housing.
“We have an attainable housing crisis throughout our state,” Prokopiak said. “What all these bills have in common is that they help address the rising cost of homeownership.”
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For years, Democratic and Republican lawmakers have heard from residents about taxes and efforts have been proposed.
This year, the state property tax/rent rebate program expanded for those who are older or disabled after bipartisan support in Harrisburg and a signature from Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. The program had its rebate amounts and income limit increased for the first time since 2006.
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Prokopiak represents the 140th Legislative District, which includes Falls Township, Morrisville Borough, Tullytown Borough, and section of Middletown Township.
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