Rep. Brennan Commends Governor DeWine Signing of HB 479

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D–Parma) today applauded Governor Mike DeWine for signing House Bill (HB) 479 into law. HB 479 invests Ohio’s budget surplus in property tax relief, healthcare services, community projects, and other priorities that will benefit families and communities across the state.

The legislation allocates funding for several key initiatives, including:

• $350 million in property tax relief for Homestead Exemption recipients;
• $320 million for an expanded sales tax holiday from August 1–15, 2027;
• $310 million for Ohio’s Health and Human Services Fund;
• $200 million to fund community projects included in the state Capital Budget without issuing additional debt; and
• $35 million for Ohio’s Budget Stabilization Fund, increasing the state’s rainy-day fund balance to more than $4 billion.

“At a time when many Ohio families are struggling with rising costs, it is important that we put our state’s strong fiscal position to work for the people we serve,” said Rep. Brennan. “I appreciate Governor DeWine signing House Bill 479 into law. HB 479 provides meaningful relief for seniors and homeowners, supports healthcare services, strengthens local communities, and makes strategic investments without increasing the state’s debt burden.”

A centerpiece of the legislation is the creation of a one-time $350 million property tax relief fund that will provide tax credits to approximately 710,000 Ohioans who receive the Homestead Exemption. Eligible seniors and disabled homeowners are expected to receive nearly $500 in property tax relief beginning in January 2027.

“Property taxes remain one of the top concerns I hear from constituents throughout House District 14,” continued Rep. Brennan. “This relief will help seniors and Ohioans with disabilities who are living on fixed incomes and struggling to keep up with increasing housing costs. While more work remains to address affordability in housing and property taxes, this is an important step forward.”

Rep. Brennan also highlighted his own bipartisan legislative efforts to provide additional property tax relief through House Bill (HB) 143. He introduced this legislation with State Rep. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) to establish an enhanced Homestead Exemption for qualifying long-term homeowners.

“I introduced HB 143 with Rep. Mathews because we believe we need to do more to help longtime homeowners remain in their homes and communities,” Rep. Brennan noted. “The property tax relief included in HB 479 complements our ongoing efforts and demonstrates that lawmakers from both parties recognize the need to address affordability challenges facing Ohio homeowners.”

The legislation also dedicates $200 million to community projects approved in the state’s Capital Budget, allowing those investments to be made without incurring additional borrowing costs.