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Widow of fallen officer asks committee to broaden surviving‑spouse exemption language
Summary
Mary Ann Carty testified in support of H 3,188, which would amend clause 42 to clarify that police and fire personnel who die in the line of duty — not only those explicitly killed — qualify surviving spouses for a 100% real estate exemption.
Mary Ann Carty, the widow of police officer William Canal, testified before the Joint Committee on Revenue in support of House Bill H 3,188, which would amend the language of "clause 42" to ensure surviving spouses of police and fire who "were killed or died in the line of duty" receive the 100% real estate exemption the clause provides.
"The purpose of this bill would add police and fire personnel who have also died in the line of duty," Mary Ann Carty said, explaining the proposed language change would "make sure that all line of duty deaths are included."
Context: Testimony explained that current clause 42 already provides a 100% real estate exemption to surviving spouses of police and fire killed in the line of duty; the bill's sponsors seek to clarify the language to include other line‑of‑duty deaths and avoid eligibility gaps for families.
Discussion vs. outcome: The committee heard the personal testimony and expressed condolences; no committee action or vote occurred at the hearing.
Ending: Carty said the change would directly benefit surviving families, including her own, and thanked the committee for the opportunity to speak.
