Committee restores and amends Senate Bill 424 on disabled veteran property tax program; passes 14–7

The House Taxation Committee voted to take Senate Bill 424 off the table and then approved an amendment that narrows the disabled-veteran property tax benefit to higher disability tiers before passing the bill as amended, 14–7.

An unidentified member explained that SB 424, originally carried by Senator Ellie Boldman in the Senate, concerns the disabled veteran property tax program. The sponsor described an amendment that would limit property tax reductions to veterans in the 80–90% disability brackets (rather than 60–70%) and would reduce the size of the benefit. The sponsor said this change should materially shrink the fiscal note "multiple times over," though the committee would review an updated fiscal note.

Representative Elver supported the narrower eligibility, saying the amendment still captures many veterans who sacrificed substantially. The sponsor also noted that a chart from Senator Bowman compared other states' approaches.

The committee voted to take SB 424 off the table (11–9) and then took the question on amendment 424.1. A roll-call vote on amendment 424.1 resulted in adoption by 14 ayes and 7 noes. The committee then voted on the bill as amended; the chair reported the bill passed the House Taxation Committee by a vote of 14–7. Representative Elverum (listed in committee as a volunteer carrier) was suggested as a floor carrier.

Committee discussion focused on balancing targeted benefit to more severely disabled veterans against fiscal cost. The transcript shows the sponsor and seconders argued the tightened eligibility would significantly reduce the fiscal impact; the updated fiscal note was not in the transcript and was noted as forthcoming.

Next steps: the bill advances from committee with the adopted amendment; the fiscal office and relevant policy staff are expected to produce an updated fiscal note and cost analysis before further floor consideration.