2013 -- S 0820

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LC02182

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO TAXATION

     Introduced By: Senators Cote, and Picard

     Date Introduced: April 04, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 44-5 of the General Laws entitled "Levy and Assessment of Local

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Taxes" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     44-5-74.4. Woonsocket - Supplemental Tax. -- (a) In order to execute a five (5) year

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financial plan for the city of Woonsocket, and notwithstanding any provision of law, general or

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special to the contrary, including, without limitation, sections 44-5-74.1 and 44-5-74.2 of the

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general laws, or any provisions of the home rule charter of the city of Woonsocket, any municipal

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ordinance or existing judicial decision, the city of Woonsocket is authorized to levy a

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supplemental tax as herein specified on some of the ratable property of the city, including motor

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vehicles and trailers, for the city’s fiscal year 2012-2013 in such sum, not to exceed two million,

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five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000), as shall be set by action of the Woonsocket budget

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commission or any individual or body authorized by law to take such action.

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     (b) The supplemental tax with respect to motor vehicles and trailers shall not be subject

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to the provisions of subdivision 44-34.1-1(c)(4) freezing excise tax rates at a level identical to the

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rate in effect for fiscal year 1998 or a lesser rate. For the city’s fiscal year 2013-2014 and

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thereafter, the excise tax rate for motor vehicles and trailers shall not exceed the city’s excise tax

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rate in effect for fiscal year 1998. The supplemental tax shall become part of the certified tax

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levy for the city’s fiscal year 2012-2013 for purposes of calculating the maximum property tax

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levy according to section 44-5-2 of the general laws for the city’s fiscal year 2013-2014, and shall

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also not be subject to the maximum levy limitations of section 44-5-2 of the general laws for the

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city’s fiscal year 2012-2013. Such supplemental tax shall be imposed by increasing the levy on

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motor vehicles and trailers by up to twelve and seven tenths percent (12.7%) and by increasing

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the levy on residential real estate, including residential properties with eleven (11) units or more,

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by up to four and six tenths percent (4.6%) for the city’s fiscal year 2012-2013 only. Within

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seven (7) days succeeding the certification, the assessor shall cause to be published in a

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newspaper of general circulation within the city of Woonsocket, the rate of tax and the percentage

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of fair market value employed in assessing the supplemental tax.

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     (c) Said supplemental tax shall be paid in one installment on a date as shall be set by the

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action of the Woonsocket budget commission or any individual or body authorized by law to take

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such action, but no later than June 15, 2013, and shall carry interest commencing on August 31,

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2013 as the Woonsocket budget commission or any individual or body authorized by law to take

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such action shall prescribe. No tax sale shall be conducted by the city prior to June 15, 2014 for

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nonpayment of the supplemental tax. In all other respects, the provisions of chapters 44-5, 44-7,

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44-8, 44-9 and 44-34 of the general laws shall be applicable to the assessment, levy and collection

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of said supplemental tax.

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     44-5-74.5. Woonsocket - Exemption for elderly residents. -- (a) For the city’s fiscal

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year 2013-2014 and thereafter, the budget commission for the city of Woonsocket or any

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individual or body authorized by law to take such action is authorized to annually fix the amount,

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if any, of a real estate tax exemption for Woonsocket residents based on age upon such terms and

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conditions as it deems reasonable. Exemption rates may be tiered based upon income level.

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     (b) Any such exemption shall only apply to residential property owned and occupied by

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the applicant.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02182

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO TAXATION

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     This act would authorize the city of Woonsocket to levy supplemental taxes for fiscal

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year 2012-2013 and authorize a homestead exemption for elderly residents commencing fiscal

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year 2013-2014, and thereafter.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC02182

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