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HB 6545

AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOVERY OF ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS IN ACTIONS FOR WRONGFUL PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Doug Dubitsky

Allows property owners to recover attorney fees and costs when successfully challenging wrongful property tax assessments, reducing litigation barriers.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Planning and Development
#attorneys'fees #propertytaxassessments
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Bill Summary · HB 6545

Legislative bill overview

HB 6545 would authorize property owners to recover attorney's fees and court costs when they successfully challenge wrongful property tax assessments in Connecticut. The bill specifically addresses the financial barriers property owners face when disputing assessments they believe are erroneous, making it economically feasible to pursue legal remedies.

Why is this important

Property tax assessments directly affect homeowners' and businesses' annual tax bills. Currently, property owners who win disputes must absorb their legal expenses despite proving the assessment was wrong, which discourages legitimate challenges and leaves incorrect assessments in place. Allowing fee recovery would level the playing field between individual property owners and tax assessment authorities, potentially correcting systemic over-assessments.

Potential points of contention

  • Municipal revenue impact: Towns and cities would face increased costs when losing assessment disputes, potentially reducing municipal budgets or incentivizing more aggressive assessments initially
  • Definition of "wrongful": Disputes may arise over what constitutes a wrongful assessment versus a legitimate assessment that simply differed from the property owner's valuation
  • Litigation incentives: While fee recovery encourages legitimate challenges, it could also increase frivolous lawsuits if standards for "wrongful" assessments are defined too broadly or if fee-shifting applies to weak claims

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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