00                             HOUSE BILL NO. 164                                                                          
01 "An Act authorizing municipalities to exempt from taxation, by ordinance approved by                                    
02 the voters in the municipality, the real property that is the primary residence of a                                    
03 resident who is at least 60 years of age and the widow or widower of a person who was                                   
04 killed while in the military service of the United States; and providing for an effective                               
05 date."                                                                                                                  
06 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
07    * Section 1. AS 29.45.030(e) is amended to read:                                                                   
08            (e)  The real property owned and occupied as the primary residence and                                       
09       permanent place of abode by a resident who is (1) 65 years of age or older; (2) a                                 
10       disabled veteran; or (3) at least 60 years of age and the widow or widower of a person                            
11       who qualified for an exemption under (1) or (2) of this subsection is exempt from                                 
12       taxation on the first $150,000 of the assessed value of the real property. A                                      
13       municipality may by ordinance approved by the voters grant the exemption under this                               
01       subsection to the widow or widower under 60 years of age of a person who qualified                                
02       for an exemption under (2) of this subsection or to a resident who is at least 60 years                       
03       of age and the widow or widower of a person who was killed while in the military                              
04       service of the United States. A municipality may, in case of hardship, provide for                            
05       exemption beyond the first $150,000 of assessed value in accordance with regulations                              
06       of the department. Only one exemption may be granted for the same property, and, if                               
07       two or more persons are eligible for an exemption for the same property, the parties                              
08       shall decide between or among themselves who is to receive the benefit of the                                     
09       exemption. Real property may not be exempted under this subsection if the assessor                                
10       determines, after notice and hearing to the parties, that the property was conveyed to                            
11       the applicant primarily for the purpose of obtaining the exemption. The determination                             
12       of the assessor may be appealed under AS 44.62.560 - 44.62.570.                                                   
13    * Sec. 2. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to                          
14 read:                                                                                                                   
15       RETROACTIVITY. Section 1 of this Act is retroactive to January 1, 2013.                                           
16    * Sec. 3. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).