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House approves fix to extend property-tax exemption to more 100% disabled veterans
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Summary
The House adopted a committee substitute to House Joint Resolution 115 to allow 100% service-connected disabled veterans (and surviving spouses who remain in the homestead) to qualify for personal property and homestead tax exemptions; sponsors noted the measure has broad bipartisan support after an eight-year push.
The Missouri House adopted a committee substitute to House Joint Resolution 115 on the floor after extended remarks from the bill carrier and multiple members in support.
The sponsor, the gentleman from Cole, told colleagues he had carried the measure for eight years and described the change as correcting a prior drafting outcome that limited the exemption to veterans who also were prisoners of war. "This bill is a personal property tax and homestead tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans," the sponsor said, adding the change will help veterans and their spouses who live on fixed incomes and face rising property tax burdens. He said the measure has "over 72 cosponsors." (Gentleman from Cole, S24.)
Members questioned technical details and expressed support. A member from Benton asked whether surviving spouses would retain the benefit; the sponsor answered yes for spouses who remain in the original homestead. Several members including the gentleman from Stone and the gentleman from Jackson spoke in favor, describing the difficulty of achieving a 100% service‑connected disability rating and urging support.
The House adopted the committee substitute and ordered it perfected and printed by voice vote; the clerk announced "the ayes have it." The record on the floor shows adoption and printing of the committee substitute; a roll-call tally for the final HJR115 adoption is not recorded in the transcript excerpt. The sponsor said he intends to advance the measure to the Senate with a Senate sponsor in place.
Why it matters: Sponsors said the change restores legislators' original intent from earlier legislation so that veterans who became fully disabled because of service—not only those who are POWs—will be eligible for tax relief. Members characterized the fix as overdue and as a tangible way to reduce financial strain on severely disabled veterans and their households.
What comes next: The House ordered the committee substitute perfected and printed and the sponsor said he has lined up a Senate sponsor and plans to move the measure through the Senate.