CA SB974

County assessors must determine a person is eligible as a severely and permanently disabled claimant for property tax base year value transfers if they receive a letter certifying a special needs trust from the State Department of Health Care Services

Assessors may issue preliminary eligibility determinations conditioned on receiving the special needs trust certification letter, but claimants become liable for property taxes at full appraised value if the letter is not produced within 5 years

The State Department of Health Care Services must develop a method for claimants to request special needs trust certification letters and establish parameters for issuing them

Qualifying special needs trusts must either meet California Probate Code Section 3604 requirements or be irrevocable trusts adhering to federal requirements under 42 U.S.C. 1396p(d)(4)(A) or (C)

The bill amends existing law allowing persons over 55, severely disabled persons, or wildfire victims to transfer their property's taxable value to a replacement dwelling purchased within 2 years, limited to 3 transfers per lifetime for age/disability claimants