Panel hears bill to extend income-tax exemption to surviving spouses of retired law enforcement officers

The Finance and Taxation Committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 2093, a measure "relating to an income tax deduction for retired law enforcement personnel benefits and to provide for retroactive application." Senator Diane Larson, who sponsored the change, told the committee the bill adds surviving-spouse benefits to the exemption lawmakers created last session.

Senator Diane Larson, state senator representing District 30 (Bismarck), said the measure builds on last session’s law that exempted retired military-style pensions from state income tax. "So the only thing new in this bill is adding the surviving spouse's benefit," Larson said, adding the intent is to mirror the military exemption to "help with recruitment and retention." The Senate previously passed the underlying measure unanimously.

Why it matters: Supporters said…