Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Disabled Veteran Homestead Exclusion topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel lays over bill to raise disabled veterans homestead exclusion amounts
Summary
The committee advanced House File 194, which would increase the homestead market‑value exclusion for 100% disabled veterans to $400,000 and for veterans rated 70% to $200,000; a disabled veteran testified in support and lawmakers noted the exclusion amounts have not been updated since 2008.
The House Taxes Committee advanced House File 194, a bill by State Representative John Knudson that would raise the homestead market‑value exclusion for disabled veterans. Under the bill, the exclusion for a 100% totally and permanently disabled veteran would increase from $300,000 (the 2008 level) to $400,000; the exclusion for a veteran with a 70% disability rating would increase from $150,000 to $200,000. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax package.
Representative Knudson explained that the exclusion amounts were set in 2008 and have not been updated despite large increases in home values. He cited Consumer Price Index calculations showing $300,000 in 2008 has substantially more purchasing power than today and said the adjustment would align the benefit with current home values.
John Ulrich, a retired chief warrant officer and disabled veteran, testified in support and described personal service and health challenges. "I respectfully request that each committee member would vote yes for this bill," Ulrich said, explaining that increases in the exclusion would help younger disabled veterans and surviving families who face rising local property tax burdens.
Members praised the bill's intent. Representative Zaf Hewitt recalled family experiences caring for disabled veterans and supported the measure as a small but meaningful relief. The Department of Revenue and county assessors were not opposed in the hearing but members asked staff for technical details about local tax shifts.
Action: Representative Knudson moved House File 194 and the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill. The motion was carried by voice vote; no roll‑call tally was recorded.
Next steps: If enacted, the bill would increase the valuation amounts used by county assessors to compute eligible homestead exclusions for qualifying disabled veterans; staff analysis of county fiscal effects may be requested during the omnibus process.
