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Senate committee hears bill to exempt American Legion posts and VFWs from property tax
Summary
Senate File 255, sponsored by Sen. Abler, would exempt congressionally chartered veterans service organizations’ buildings from property tax; supporters say local posts face closures and revenue notes show a small state cost and larger savings to posts.
Senate File 255, a bill to exempt American Legion posts and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) buildings from property tax, was presented to the Minnesota Senate Taxes Committee during a committee hearing. Sponsor Sen. Aric Abler introduced the measure and called witnesses who described local posts facing heavy tax burdens and potential closure.
Supporters told the committee that many local posts serve broad community functions beyond bars or gambling halls, including meeting space, fundraising for local nonprofits, veteran suicide-prevention training with VA partners, and other community services. “We do hope this is the year where congressionally chartered veteran service organizations will finally see the elimination of property taxes for their buildings,” Dr. Christy Janigo, legislative chair of the American Legion Department of Minnesota, told the committee.
The proponents said several posts have closed or sold buildings in recent years and described financial strain. Dr. Janigo said the American Legion Department of Minnesota has 531 posts, of which about 260 have buildings; she listed communities where buildings have been sold or are at risk and said some posts face increased demand for assistance. “Post homes can be important meeting places,” Janigo said.
Sen. Abler referenced a revenue note saying the change would create an upfront fiscal effect and ongoing savings for posts: he said the revenue note showed roughly $900,000 in annual savings for posts and noted an initial state cost of about $50,000 per the revenue analysis. Committee members expressed broad support in remarks during the hearing. Sen. John Dibble and Sen. Zach Putnam (remarks recorded) voiced support or light-hearted remarks backing the bill’s intent to help local posts remain viable. There were no recorded committee questions that altered the bill text during the hearing.
Outcome: committee staff recorded that Senate File 255 was “laid over for possible inclusion,” meaning committee consideration will continue as the session proceeds.
The measure would change state property-tax treatment for congressionally chartered veterans service organizations; it does not itself appropriate funds. Further fiscal analysis and drafting could follow before any floor action.
