HB 3287
Grants a higher property tax exemption for the property of veterans with disabilities.
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
85%
Oppose
15%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill increases the property tax exemption available to veterans with disabilities and their surviving spouses. It raises the exemption amount to $60,000 for veterans with disabilities (40% or more) and $65,000 for surviving spouses, and $150,000 for veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities or multiple disabilities totaling 100% or more. It also expands the exemption to include surviving spouses who remain unmarried. The changes take effect on the 91st day after the legislative session ends.
Key provisions
- Increases the property tax exemption for veterans with disabilities to $60,000.
- Increases the property tax exemption for surviving spouses to $65,000.
- Increases the property tax exemption for veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities to $150,000.
- Allows an exemption for a veteran’s surviving spouse who remains unmarried.
- Defines ‘surviving spouse of a veteran’ as a spouse who has not remarried.
- Requires a veteran or surviving spouse to file a claim with the county assessor.
- Continues the exemption for a year after a veteran’s death if the property was acquired after March 1.
- Allows a surviving spouse to elect to continue the exemption without filing a new claim if the veteran died during the previous tax year.
Who is affected
- Veterans with disabilities
- Surviving spouses of veterans
- Property owners
- Taxing districts
- County assessors
Notable changes
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of the measure emphasize the importance of honoring and supporting veterans, who have made significant sacrifices for their country. Many that financial assistance is crucial to help veterans, particularly those with disabilities, stay in their homes due to increasing property taxes. Some argue that states should take on a greater role in providing support to disabled veterans, citing historical mistreatment and the federal government's inadequate performance. Others advocate for lowering taxes for veterans who have served their country, emphasizing the need to acknowledge their service and provide them with necessary benefits. Key concerns include ensuring that disabled veterans receive the respect and help they deserve, while also recognizing the sacrifices made by all veterans.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of the proposed legislation express concerns that increasing property tax exemptions for disabled veterans could divert funds from local governments, which rely heavily on property taxes to fund essential services and capital projects. They argue that this diversion would have a negative impact on the ability of local governments to provide adequate funding for critical services such as education, public safety, and infrastructure development. Additionally, opponents claim that the proposed legislation's requirement for individual review and validation of unemployability documentation and tax documents by Assessment staff would create an undue burden on already stretched resources, potentially leading to increased costs and decreased efficiency in the assessment process.