Asm. Phillip Chen

The Personal Income Tax Law, in modified conformity with federal income tax laws, allows various deductions in computing the income that is subject to the taxes imposed by that law, including miscellaneous itemized deductions that are allowed only to the extent that the aggregate amount of those deductions exceeds 2% of adjusted gross income. This bill, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, would allow as a deduction under that law an amount equal to the amount of federal income tax paid, as defined, by an individual for that taxable year, as specified. This bill would take effect immediately as a tax levy.

(1) Existing property tax law provides, pursuant to the authority of a specified provision of the California Constitution, for a homeowners' exemption in the amount of $7,000 of the full value of a "dwelling," as defined, and authorizes the Legislature to increase this exemption. This bill, beginning with the lien date for the 2019–20 fiscal year, would increase the homeowners' exemption from $7,000 to $14,000 of the full value of a dwelling. This bill, for the 2020–21 fiscal year and for each fiscal year thereafter, would also require the county assessor to adjust the amount of the homeowners' exemption by the percentage change in the House Price Index for California for the first 3 quarters of the prior calendar year, as specified. (2) The Personal Income Tax Law imposes taxes based upon taxable income of individuals, estates, and trusts, at specified rates. This bill, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, would revise the personal income tax rates and the amounts of income those rates are imposed upon, as provided. (3) The California Constitution requires the Legislature, whenever it increases the homeowners' property tax exemption, to provide a comparable increase in benefits to qualified renters. The Personal Income Tax Law authorizes various credits against the taxes imposed by that law, including a credit for qualified renters in the amount of $120 for spouses filing joint returns, heads of household, and surviving spouses if adjusted gross income is $50,000 or less, and in the amount of $60 for other individuals if adjusted gross income is $25,000 or less. Existing law requires the Franchise Tax Board to annually adjust for inflation these adjusted gross income amounts. This bill, for taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2019, would increase this credit for a qualified renter to $240 for spouses filing joint returns, heads of household, and surviving spouses if adjusted gross income is $50,000 or less, as adjusted for inflation, and to an amount equal to $120 for other individuals if adjusted gross income is $25,000 or less, as adjusted for inflation. The bill, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2020, would also require the Franchise Tax Board to annually adjust for inflation, based upon the California Consumer Price Index, the amount of these credits. The bill would also make nonsubstantive changes to the renters' credit. (4) The Corporation Tax Law generally imposes a franchise tax on corporations doing business within the limits of this state, including a minimum franchise tax on specified corporations, as provided. This bill would eliminate the minimum franchise tax and make related technical amendments. (5) Existing law requires the state to reimburse local agencies annually for certain property tax revenues lost as a result of any exemption or classification of property for purposes of ad valorem property taxation. This bill would provide that, notwithstanding those provisions, no appropriation is made and the state shall not reimburse local agencies for property tax revenues lost by them pursuant to the bill. (6) This bill would take effect immediately as a tax levy.

This measure would recognize 2018 as the milestone 50th Anniversary of the Napa County Agricultural Preserve, and further recognize the critical part the hundreds of growers, vintners, local leaders, and members of the Napa community play to preserve the beauty and splendor of the valley and its agricultural industries, for this and future generations.

Existing law governing settlement offers in eminent domain proceedings authorizes the recovery of litigation expenses under certain circumstances. Existing law provides that if a court finds, on motion of the defendant, that the offer of the plaintiff was unreasonable and the offer of the defendant was reasonable in light of the evidence admitted and the compensation awarded in the proceeding, then the costs allowed shall include the defendant's litigation expenses. This bill would instead provide that if a court finds, on motion of the defendant, that the offer of the plaintiff was lower than 85% of the compensation awarded in the proceeding, then the court would be required to include the defendant's litigation costs in the costs allowed. If the court finds that the offer of the plaintiff was at least 85% and less than 100% of the compensation awarded in the proceeding, the court would be authorized to include the defendant's litigation costs in the costs allowed.

This measure would proclaim the month of April 2018 as Black April Memorial Month.

This measure would proclaim the month of April 2018 as California Wines: Down to Earth Month, to celebrate the sustainable leadership of California wineries and winegrape growers throughout the month of April.

This measure would proclaim April 11, 2018, as Special Olympics Day.

This measure would recognize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on April 4, 2018, the 50th anniversary of his assassination, his numerous accomplishments and contributions to the nation, and the long-lasting influence that his words and legacy continue to have globally.