Relating to the elimination of ad valorem taxes and the creation of a joint interim committee on the elimination of those taxes.

HB 165 establishes a joint interim committee to study replacing revenue lost from eliminating ad valorem taxes (property taxes based on property value). The committee, composed of five House members and five Senators appointed by leadership, will examine alternative tax methods, calculate required rates to maintain revenue, and assess impacts on local governments. It must report findings and recommendations to the legislature by November 2026, including how to address tax disparities if ad valorem taxes are phased out. The bill itself does not eliminate taxes but creates a process for evaluating alternatives. The committee expires January 1, 2027.