(The Center Square) – Louisiana voters approved two constitutional amendments Tuesday that expand eligibility for a property assessment freeze and allow parishes and municipalities to offer an additional property tax exemption to qualifying homeowners 65 and older.
The higher income limit for the assessment freeze takes effect statewide in 2027. The additional exemption requires a separate local vote and could take effect as early as 2028. Local taxing authorities that grant the exemption must absorb the lost revenue.
By Wednesday morning, voters had approved six amendments and rejected two. Amendment 4, which would impose a lifetime term limit on governors, and Amendment 10, which would allow tax breaks for rehabilitated properties, were still too close to call. KSLA reported the following unofficial totals with an estimated 99% of the vote in on each measure.
Amendment 1 — Surviving spouses of disabled veterans
Voters approved the amendment, with 1,071,202 (74.3%) in favor and 371,217 (25.7%) against. Beginning Jan. 1, surviving spouses who receive an additional property tax exemption because of a veteran’s service-connected disability can transfer it once to another qualifying home.
Amendment 2 — Local property tax rates
Voters rejected the proposal, with 824,341 (58%) against and 596,340 (42%) in favor. It would have allowed local taxing authorities to keep a lower rate through a property reassessment and still return to a previously authorized maximum later.
Amendment 3 — Bail after conviction
Voters approved the amendment, with 972,108 (67.8%) in favor and 461,710 (32.2%) against. It bars judges from granting bail after a defendant is convicted of certain aggravated offenses against a child, including rape and sexual battery.
Amendment 4 — Governor’s term limit
The measure was too close to call Wednesday morning, with 801,160 votes (55.9%) in favor and 631,352 (44.1%) against. It would bar anyone who has served more than one and a half terms as governor from being elected governor again. Under current law, a two-term governor can run again after sitting out a term.
Amendment 5 — State pension debt
Voters rejected the measure, with 874,544 (62.4%) against and 526,531 (37.6%) in favor. State retirement systems must continue to apply one-time state funds to their oldest pension debt first.
Amendment 6 — Local tax exemptions for older homeowners
Voters approved the measure, with 900,356 (63.6%) in favor and 516,251 (36.4%) against. In communities that adopt it, the additional exemption will range from $6,000 of assessed value for qualifying homeowners ages 65 to 68 to $30,000 for those 81 and older.
Amendment 7 — Drinking water lines
Voters approved the amendment, with 924,321 (65.3%) in favor and 492,210 (34.7%) against. It allows local governments to use public funds to identify, remove or replace drinking water service lines on customers’ property when the lines are covered by federal lead and copper rules.
Amendment 8 — Eminent domain
Voters approved the measure, with 876,953 (62.1%) in favor and 534,925 (37.9%) against. It bars foreign adversaries and their agents from using eminent domain to take property in Louisiana.
Amendment 9 — Income limit for assessment freezes
Voters approved the measure, with 823,788 (58.2%) in favor and 591,838 (41.8%) against. It raises the income limit to $150,000 for otherwise eligible homeowners, including those 65 and older and people with qualifying disabilities. The freeze applies to a home’s assessed value. A change in tax rates can still affect the bill.
Amendment 10 — Rehabilitated properties
The measure was too close to call Wednesday morning, with 749,063 votes (53.2%) against and 659,113 (46.8%) in favor. It would allow local property tax exemptions for owners who rehabilitate blighted or derelict properties. State lawmakers would set the terms.