On February 18, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Ways and Means Committee to oppose HB 168 – Manufacturing Business Personal Property Tax – Exemption.

This bill exempts from the property tax all personal property in the possession of a person engaged in a manufacturing business that is a small- or medium-sized enterprise.

Counties are amenable to working with state policymakers on efforts to reduce the burden on manufacturing businesses. However, MACo opposes this bill because it will undermine county revenue structures and deplete limited local funds for public health, schools, public safety, roadway maintenance, and other essential public services.

From MACo Testimony:

In general, MACo stands for local self-determination. Counties, led by locally elected leaders directly accountable within the communities they serve, are best positioned to govern local affairs – ranging from land use to fiscal matters. MACo steadfastly guards this local autonomy and consistently advocates against one-size-fits-all policies that override local decisionmaking.

HB 168’s cross-file, SB 488, was heard on March 5 in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. Kevin Kinnally testified in opposition to this bill.

More on MACo’s Advocacy:

• Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2025 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database
• Learn more about MACo’s 2025 Legislative Initiatives
• Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog