Senate committee backs amended bill increasing optional disabled-veteran property tax relief after wide testimony

The Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee voted by voice to advance an amended version of House Bill 99, which raises the optional property tax relief for permanently and totally disabled veterans.

Representative Ross Moffatt, the bill’s prime sponsor in the House, told the committee the original draft called for a 100% property-tax exemption for eligible veterans but the Department of Revenue Administration told the House committee that a flat dollar figure made cost projections and budgeting easier. The House committee amended the bill to set the optional credit at $5,000.

Several veterans and advocates testified in favor of returning to a percentage or larger benefit. Maura Ryan, who identified herself as a veteran and educational advocate, urged the committee to restore the original wording allowing up to a 100% exemption and to give towns the option to extend more relief under local control. “We are the only state to have this requirement, and it's grossly inappropriate,” Ryan said, referring to a House amendment that had tied eligibility to a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant requirement.

Representing the State Veterans Advisory Committee, Kevin Grady described why the advisory committee did not take a formal position: while members sympathize with increased relief for needy veterans, a 100% exemption makes it hard for municipal administrators to budget and could shift large costs to other taxpayers. “When the VA gives the permanent rating to someone, it is the VA's assessment that this person is never going to work another day in their life,” Grady said, urging lawmakers to target relief to veterans who truly cannot work and to consider means testing.

Dennis Martin, who identified himself as a 100% permanently and totally disabled veteran from Londonderry, said the current $4,000 credit in his town is insufficient for veterans on fixed disability income and urged the committee to increase relief so veterans can remain in their homes.

Senators discussed competing concerns: proponents urged restoring broader relief or local flexibility; DRA advocated for a concrete dollar figure to allow municipal budget planning. The prime sponsor said he supports the House amendment to $5,000 as an enabling measure that allows municipalities to opt for larger local relief if they choose.

The committee’s voice vote advanced the amended measure with the recommendation that it be passed; no roll-call tally was recorded in committee.