New Hampshire House approves House Bill 99 for disabled veterans' property tax exemption

A proposed amendment to House Bill 99, aimed at providing a property tax waiver for disabled veterans, sparked significant discussion during a recent New Hampshire Senate meeting. The bill, which passed unanimously in the House, seeks to increase the optional disabled veteran tax credit to a percentage of property tax exemption, a move that advocates argue is crucial for supporting veterans facing financial hardships.

Veteran advocate Maura Ryan emphasized the need for the amendment, highlighting that the current law's requirement for veterans to hold a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant is overly restrictive. "We are the only state to have this requirement, and it's grossly inappropriate," Ryan stated, noting that many disabled veterans do not qualify for such grants due to their limited availability.

Ryan's testimony underscored the pressing financial challenges faced by permanently and totally disabled veterans, particularly in light of rising living costs. She pointed out that inflation has severely impacted this group, making it increasingly difficult for them to maintain their homes. "Many disabled veterans are in jeopardy of losing their homes," she warned.

The proposed amendment would allow towns to grant a 100% property tax exemption to qualifying veterans, similar to existing provisions for elderly citizens. Ryan shared that her town recently voted overwhelmingly in favor of such a measure, indicating strong community support for enhanced tax relief for disabled veterans.

In addition to advocating for local control over tax exemptions, Ryan suggested incorporating means testing to ensure that benefits are directed to those most in need. She noted that the financial impact of expanding the tax exemption would be minimal, as only a small number of veterans qualify.

As the Senate deliberates on this important legislation, the potential for increased support for disabled veterans remains a focal point, with advocates urging swift action to amend and pass the bill. The outcome could significantly affect the lives of many veterans struggling to make ends meet in New Hampshire.