NASHVILLE, Tenn.–The first resolution filed for the 114th session of the Tennessee General Assembly looks to permanently ban state property taxes by amending the State Constitution.
The effort started last session with the passage of House Joint Resolution 81 in both houses. The resolution would amend Article II, Section 28 which currently states “In accordance with the following provisions, all property real, personal or mixed shall be subject to taxation, but the Legislature may except such as may be held by the State, by Counties, Cities or Towns, and used exclusively for public or corporation purposes, and such as may be held and used for purposes purely religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational, and shall except the direct product of the soil in the hands of the producer, and his immediate vendee, and the entire amount of money deposited in an individual’s personal or family checking or savings accounts.”
The legislature repealed the state property tax in 1949 but it now seeks to remove the state’s ability to tax property from the Constitution by changing the language to state “In accordance with the following provisions, all property real, personal, or mixed shall be subject to taxation, but the Legislature shall not levy, authorize, or otherwise permit any state tax upon such property, and the Legislature.”…