00                      CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 73(CRA)                                                                    
01 "An Act relating to a municipal property tax exemption for real property that is the                                    
02 primary residence of certain widows and widowers; and providing for an effective                                        
03 date."                                                                                                                  
04 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
05    * Section 1. AS 29.45.030(e) is amended to read:                                                                   
06            (e)  The real property owned and occupied as the primary residence and                                       
07       permanent place of abode by a resident who is (1) 65 years of age or older; (2) a                                 
08       disabled veteran; or (3) at least 60 years of age and the widow or widower of a person                            
09       who qualified for an exemption under (1) or (2) of this subsection is exempt from                                 
10       taxation on the first $150,000 of the assessed value of the real property. A                                      
11       municipality may by ordinance approved by the voters grant the exemption under this                               
12       subsection to the widow or widower under 60 years of age of a person who qualified                                
13       for an exemption under (2) of this subsection or to a resident who is the widow or                            
14       widower of a member of the armed forces of the United States who dies because                                 

01       of illness or injury suffered while serving on active duty service, or complications                          
02       relating to the treatment of the illness or injury suffered while serving on active                           
03       duty service of the United States. A municipality may, in case of hardship, provide                           
04       for exemption beyond the first $150,000 of assessed value in accordance with                                      
05       regulations of the department. Only one exemption may be granted for the same                                     
06       property, and, if two or more persons are eligible for an exemption for the same                                  
07       property, the parties shall decide between or among themselves who is to receive the                              
08       benefit of the exemption. Real property may not be exempted under this subsection if                              
09       the assessor determines, after notice and hearing to the parties, that the property was                           
10       conveyed to the applicant primarily for the purpose of obtaining the exemption. The                               
11       determination of the assessor may be appealed under AS 44.62.560 - 44.62.570. In                              
12       this subsection, "widow or widower" means a person who has lost the person's                                  
13       spouse to death and has not remarried.                                                                        
14    * Sec. 2. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to                          
15 read:                                                                                                                   
16       RETROACTIVITY. Section 1 of this Act is retroactive to January 1, 2013.                                           
17    * Sec. 3. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).