Exempt Homeowners Aged 60+ from Property Taxes

This constitutional amendment would provide financial relief to seniors by exempting those aged 60 and older from paying property taxes on their primary residence to prevent displacement due to rising housing costs across the state. Proponent Rishi Kumar, a former mayor of Saratoga and a recurring candidate for state and federal office, frames the measure as essential to keeping long-term residents in their homes as property values in many California counties have doubled or tripled over the past two decades. Under the proposal, eligible homeowners would file an annual exemption application with their county assessor, providing proof of age and primary residence status. The exemption would apply only to the first $1.5 million of assessed value, meaning owners of higher-valued properties would still pay taxes on the assessed amount above that threshold. The Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates the exemption could reduce property tax revenue by $8 billion to $12 billion annually statewide, with school districts and special districts absorbing the largest share of the shortfall. Critics, including the California Teachers Association and several county supervisors’ associations, argue that the revenue loss would devastate local services including public schools, fire protection, and library systems that depend heavily on property tax funding. Supporters respond that California already has mechanisms like Proposition 13 that limit property tax growth and that a senior exemption is a logical extension of the state’s commitment to housing stability. The measure does not include an income cap, which opponents say means that wealthy retirees with substantial assets would receive the same benefit as seniors on fixed incomes. Kumar’s campaign argues that means testing would add administrative complexity and discourage participation among eligible homeowners. The amendment would require approval by a simple majority of voters and would take effect for the fiscal year beginning after the election.