Committee hears bill to give property tax relief to families of injured or fallen first responders

The Montana Senate Taxation Committee on Thursday heard House Bill 140, introduced by Representative Curtis Schomer, that would extend property tax relief to spouses and households of police officers and firefighters who die or are permanently disabled in the line of duty.

Representative Curtis Schomer, the bill sponsor from Billings, said the measure would "allow police officers and firefighters who die in the line of duty...their spouses a property tax break," and urged lawmakers to pass the bill to help families stay in their homes after a catastrophic injury or death.

Supporters — including the Montana Police Protective Association, the Montana Police Foundation, the Montana State Firefighter Association and an individual witness with personal injury experience — said the benefit would reduce financial stress for affected households. Dan Smith, executive director of the Montana Police Protective Association, said the state-paid death or disability benefit for officers is often 50% of…