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Veterans committee lists annuity, tax-credit bills but adjourns after no testimony
Summary
The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs adjourned its fifth public hearing of February after no one registered to testify, though members reviewed recent and pending measures on veteransannuities and tax credits.
The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs adjourned its fifth public hearing of February after no one registered to testify in person or virtually, though members underscored recent and pending legislation affecting veteransannuities, tax credits and other financial benefits.
“My name is John Vilas. I am the senate chair of this committee,” Vilas said as he opened the hybrid hearing. He told members the session would focus on legislation relating to tax credits, annuities and other financial benefits provided to veterans, service members and military families.
Vilas highlighted passage of the HERO Act in the prior session, saying the measure raised the annual annuity for 100% disabled veterans, gold star parents and gold star spouses from $2,000 to $2,500—the first increase in 17 years. He also named bill 2502 and House Bill 3853, calling the latter “an act ensuring eligibility for gold star spouses,” and said those items appeared on the hearing agenda and had been enacted in the FY26 budget and signed into law.
“This important legislation repealed the language in Mass. General Laws that prevented gold star spouses from receiving the annuity if they remarried,” Vilas said, characterizing the previous restriction as “archaic.” He thanked the Hilly Driscoll administration, Senate President Spilka and Speaker Ron Mariano for helping carry the measures into law.
House Chair Representative Joe McGonigal and House members present were introduced during opening remarks; McGonigal identified Representatives Toske, Bridal, Arriaga and Thurber as attending. Sergeant Ed Armes and legislative information services staff were acknowledged for supporting the hybrid format.
When Vilas asked whether anyone had registered to testify, staff indicated there were no sign-ups. Vilas then said he would bring a motion to adjourn; the motion was made and seconded and the chair called a voice vote. “All in favor, so moved,” the chair announced, and the hearing was closed.
No formal testimony was taken during the session and no committee votes on legislation were recorded in the hearing transcript. The agenda items referenced in the hearing (bill 2502 and House Bill 3853) were mentioned by name but not presented or debated at the hearing; details that were not offered in the session remain not specified in the record.
