House Happenings, February 10-14, 2025

Legislative work at the Capitol feels as though it is moving at warp speed. This week is turnaround week. The House will be on the Floor all day this week. Committees have heard several bills and passed several out of committee. Many of those bills will be heard during the sessions this week. Bills passed out of the House will transfer to the Senate. The bills that pass out of the Senate will be transferred to the House. Committees will return to meet and hear the bills. Several bills were debated this week on the House Floor.

HB 2068, HB 2069, and HB 2070 all deal with interstate compacts with the goal of improving availability of cosmetologists, school psychologists, and dieticians.

Committee meetings were busy holding hearings on bills. The following are bills that may interest you.

Veterans and Military
HB 2256 would create the Order of the Sunflower (Order). The Order would be awarded to military spouses who are deemed to have made a significant impact on their unit command, military installation, community, or the State. The Governor would award the Order based on submissions made to the Governor’s Office through the Office of Constituent Services webpage on the Governor’s website.

Corrections and Juvenile Justice
HB 2192 would limit work release for second- or third-time domestic battery offenders, if their previous offense was committed within five years. Under current law, second- and third-time offenders are allowed work release after 48 hours. The bill raise that up to 45 days for second time offenders, and 90 days for third-time offenders.

Tax
HB 2005 would enact the Veterans’ Valor Property Tax Relief Act, that would provide veterans who have been deemed permanently and totally disabled or unemployable a refundable income tax credit equal to 75% of the property and ad valorem taxes actually and timely paid on the residential property of the taxpayer. The tax credit would be effective beginning in tax year 2025. You may remember this bill from the 2024 session. The bill number was different, but the layout was the same. The bill was vetoed by the Governor. I hope that we can get this bill through the finish line this year.

HCR 5011 ensures that residential property valuations are based on the lesser of fair market value or an average fair market value over multiple years, helping to prevent sudden spikes in property tax bills. It provides financial relief to homeowners by stabilizing tax burdens, particularly in rapidly appreciating housing markets. Current property valuation methods can lead to large fluctuations in property taxes, often outpacing homeowners’ ability to pay. By averaging valuations over a set number of years, this amendment smooths out market fluctuations and prevents sharp, unexpected tax increases.

This week is proving to be busy. In addition to hearing bills. I always enjoy meeting with constituents and hearing their stories.

Until next week, be safe, stay warm, and look to the stars.

Nate Butler
Representative, 68th District