Bill Caption

Relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of part of the appraised value of the residence homestead of a partially disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a partially disabled veteran based on the disability rating of the veteran.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB129, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($401,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2019, contingent upon passage of a constitutional amendment authorizing the exemption. Additionally, there would be a negative impact of ($212,566,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2021. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. 

Bill Analysis

This is enabling legislation for HJR 27 which would permit the legislature to provide targeted tax relief to qualifying partially disabled veterans or the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran provided certain qualifying conditions are met. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

In its current form we oppose this legislation because it would extend another preferential tax break for a preferred class of people at the expense of the ever-diminishing group of people who will be required to shoulder the full weight of the tax burden to fund local government. It is our understanding that a floor substitute will be offered which would instead propose an interim study on existing and potential future property tax exemptions and benefits for military service members, veterans, and their families. With the adoption of such an amendment we would withdraw our objection to HB 129.