State Representative Tracy Richardson of Marysville has voted in favor of Senate amendments to four property tax reform bills: House Bills 129, 309, 186, and 335. These measures are designed to provide direct property tax relief for Ohio residents, with estimated savings totaling more than $2.4 billion.
“After months of continuous work to address the compelling need for property tax relief and reform, I voted to support Senate recommendations to our house property tax bills,” said Richardson. “My intent is to ensure that the residents of my district and all Ohioans receive property tax help in 2026 and protection from property tax hikes in the future. These bills build on our continuing efforts to make Ohio a more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.”
House Bill 186 introduces an Inflation Cap Credit that will limit increases in school district property taxes so they do not exceed the rate of inflation. This bill is expected to save nearly $1.7 billion over three years for Ohio property owners. The legislation also includes provisions for appropriations intended to protect school districts from actual revenue losses during this appraisal period compared with their current collections.
Additionally, changes in House Bill 186 will update the owner-occupied tax credit by phasing out the nonbusiness credit—except for agricultural properties—and expanding credits available for homeowners who occupy their homes. Over four years, this adjustment is projected to provide more than $800 million in relief.
House Bill 335 addresses inside millage collections by capping increases at no more than the sum of inflation rates from the previous three years during county reappraisal or update periods. This provision is estimated to result in between $621 million and $763 million in property tax relief over three years.
House Bill 129 aims to control unexpected spikes in taxes by including certain types of levies—such as emergency and incremental growth levies—in calculations toward the state’s 20-mill floor requirement. This move is intended to close loopholes and slow rapid increases in taxes; it is expected that over four years, 237 districts will be lifted off the floor threshold.
The same bill provides new options for school districts facing financial distress or disaster declarations, allowing them alternative methods for renewing or establishing temporary levies.
Finally, House Bill 309 seeks to reduce unnecessary collections by giving County Budget Commissions broader authority to adjust levies downward when millage rates are higher than needed.
These legislative changes build on earlier reforms included in Ohio’s operating budget targeting rising property taxes across the state. The four bills now await Governor Mike DeWine’s signature before becoming law.
