Ohio REALTORS Testifies in Senate on Key Property Tax Reform Bills
This week, Ohio REALTORS® provided testimony to the Senate Local Government Committee in support of House Bills 186 and 335, two major proposals aimed at curbing runaway property taxes and restoring fairness to Ohio’s tax system.
Both bills address the impact of skyrocketing property taxes, which have pushed many homeowners, especially those on fixed incomes, to the brink. These measures are designed to slow the growth of unvoted property taxes while preserving stability for schools and local governments.
- HB 186 caps revenue growth from the 20-mill floor to inflation, restoring predictability for property owners without cutting off school funding. The testimony offered the following explanation of the bill’s provision:
HB 186 provides important protections against unfettered growth in property taxes by limiting the revenue growth school districts can receive from the 20-mill floor to inflation, thereby reducing the dramatic increases in property taxes. This legislation does not prevent school districts from seeking additional levies to bring in revenue; it simply ensures that school districts seeking more than inflationary increases in revenue to receive voter approval, thus avoiding unvoted spikes in property taxes.
- HB 335 applies a similar cap to inside millage and improves oversight by requiring county budget commission approval before any rate increases are reinstated. It also encourages coordination across tax types to avoid overlapping burdens on taxpayers. Ohio REALTORS® provided the following in testimony:
The bill requires County Budget Commissions to adjust inside millage rates during reappraisal years so that revenue growth from these unvoted levies cannot exceed inflation. This ensures that local governments continue to receive stable and predictable funding while preventing automatic tax increases that make housing less affordable.
Ohio REALTORS® continues to advocate for a property tax system that is transparent, balanced, and voter-driven. These bills reflect that vision and represent a critical step forward in protecting Ohio homeowners.
Learn more about these bills below:
