HB 19-1085 Summary

• Establishes new property tax and heat/fuel assistance grant amounts for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities, effective for the 2019 calendar year and thereafter, with amounts adjusted annually for inflation.

• Creates a flat grant amount of $238 for property tax assistance and $77 for heat/fuel assistance in 2019, with maximum eligible income limits of $15,192 for individuals and $20,518 for spouses in 2019.

• Simplifies grant calculations to use either a reduced amount based on income over a phase-out threshold or a flat grant amount, whichever is greater, replacing previous tiered income-based formulas.

• Repeals previous grant formulas and income thresholds effective July 1, 2021, consolidating the program structure going forward.

• Appropriates $24,847 to the Department of Revenue for 2019-20 fiscal year ($10,467 for staff, $13,180 for IT system support, $1,200 for document services) and increases general fund allocation by $653,500 for grant program implementation.