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Nebraska hearing considers extending vehicle tax exemption to surviving spouses of disabled, blind veterans
Summary
Senators heard testimony on LB756, which would let an unmarried surviving spouse continue to receive a motor‑vehicle or mobile‑home tax exemption if their deceased veteran spouse had qualified. Proponents urged relief for grieving families; committee members noted a fiscal note and requested follow‑up from the fiscal office.
Senator Dave Wordingkemper introduced LB756 to allow surviving spouses who have not remarried to continue receiving the motor‑vehicle or mobile‑home tax exemption their disabled or blind veteran spouse had earned through honorable service and a service‑connected disability. The introducer told the committee the veteran must have qualified for the exemptions at the time of death and acknowledged a fiscal note that would reduce county revenues.
Melissa Allen, legislative liaison for the Nebraska Veterans Council and state legislative director for Disabled American Veterans — Department of Nebraska, spoke in strong support, saying she regularly assists surviving spouses and has “witnessed firsthand the financial challenges that these spouses face, especially right after losing a loved one.” She urged swift passage to provide financial relief and recognition for spouses’ sacrifices.
John Cannon, executive director of the Nebraska Association of County Officials, registered support for the policy but noted the fiscal implications and administrative questions. No opponents or neutral testifiers spoke in person on LB756 at this hearing.
Committee members asked the introducer and witnesses to follow up on the fiscal‑office estimate; one senator noted the fiscal office estimated about 10,000 potential candidates and asked whether veterans’ organizations had helped produce that figure. Wordingkemper said he had received the fiscal note late and would check on the source of the estimate.
The committee closed the public hearing on LB756 without taking a vote; the introducer remained to close.
