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Committee passes bill to extend certain state benefits to veterans made 100% disabled by VA medical malpractice

Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs · April 16, 2026

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Summary

House Bill 3257 passed the Senate veterans committee 5-0; the bill would have the state recognize a federal 100% service-connected disability determination caused by neglect or medical malpractice at VA facilities for certain state benefits (sales and excise tax exemptions), while the property-tax exemption remains constrained by the state constitution.

The Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs on Friday voted 5-0 to advance House Bill 3257, which would require state benefits tied to 100% service-connected disability to apply when a veteran is adjudicated 100% disabled by the federal government because of neglect or medical malpractice at a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facility.

Senator Woods, the bill’s sponsor, told the committee that the change is intended to close a gap that can leave a veteran recognized as 100% disabled by the federal government but still treated as less than 100% for some state benefits. Woods said the issue arose after a veteran who had been rated 40% saw his condition worsen after a VA procedure and later was deemed 100% disabled at the federal level. "The state is also gonna honor that," Woods said, arguing the state should align with the federal determination for the listed benefits.

Senator Wingard asked whether the change applies only when the federal 100% rating is the result of malpractice; Woods answered yes and clarified the benefit types involved, citing sales and excise tax exemptions. Woods also told the panel that the property-tax exemption could not be extended by the legislature because it is constrained by the state constitution.

The committee recorded aye votes from Senators Hamilton, Kurt, Wingard, Woods and Stanley. With the committee’s do-pass recommendation, HB 3257 will move to the full Senate for consideration.