Board backs Archuleta bills allowing homeowners to claim both homeowner and veterans exemptions

The Board of Equalization on April 20 voted to support SB 623 and SCA 4, measures introduced by Senator Archuleta that would allow taxpayers to claim both the homeowners' exemption and the veterans or disabled veterans exemption, a change the senator described as a family of veterans property-tax bills.

Member Deborah Vasquez presented the item and moved that the board support both measures. Vasquez told the board that the bills had been discussed previously and asked members if they had questions before moving support. The motion was seconded by Vice Chair Lieber. There were no public comments on the item.

By roll call the board recorded "Aye" votes from Chairman Gaines, Vice Chair Lieber, Member Vasquez, Member Schaffer and Deputy Controller Amaron; the chair declared the motion passed. The board did not take additional implementation actions at the meeting. The board's formal letters of support will be prepared and submitted by the executive director's office under the chair's letterhead per standard practice.

SB 623 would change the statutory eligibility to allow homeowners to claim both the homeowner's exemption and a veterans or disabled-veterans exemption where state law otherwise prohibits claiming both; SCA 4 would amend the California Constitution to authorize that change. The board's vote was procedural support for the bills; subsequent amendments or committee actions could require members to re-evaluate support if the bill texts change.