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Senate committee advances bill to exclude VA disability pay from property‑tax income tests
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Summary
Senate committee advanced SB 888 to exclude VA service‑connected disability compensation from household income when determining eligibility for the Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption, a change sponsors say would prevent 100% disabled veterans on fixed benefits from losing relief.
Senators on the Military and Veterans Affairs committee voted to pass SB 888 to the committee on appropriations after a presentation from Senator Serrano and widespread support from veterans organizations.
Senator Serrano told the committee SB 888 "addresses a critical flaw that unfairly penalizes disabled veterans by counting their disability benefits as income when determining eligibility for the disabled veterans property tax exemption." He said the current calculation can push veterans who receive VA disability compensation over an $81,131 income threshold used for the higher low‑income exemption, leaving some veterans disqualified despite living on fixed benefits and facing high medical costs.
Witnesses from local and statewide veterans groups spoke in favor. Nicole Whortleman said she testified on behalf of the Orange County Board of Supervisors in support; Nick Bussi of Veterans of California, representatives of the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, the VFW and county veterans service officers also registered support. JR Wilson, legislative director for the California Disabled American Veterans, described the proposal as a targeted fix that "simply excludes VA service connected disability compensation from the calculation of household income for purposes of the ... Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption," while preserving existing eligibility safeguards.
Senator Serrano asked for an "I" vote and members moved the bill. The committee recorded votes and the chair announced the ayes had it; later enactment steps place the bill on call pending appropriations action.
Why it matters: Supporters say excluding disability compensation would reduce the risk that veterans rely on benefits lose access to other relief designed to maintain housing stability, and that it aligns tax relief with the purpose of service‑connected compensation.
What remains: The committee referred SB 888 to the appropriations committee for further review and fiscal analysis. No formal opposition testified in the hearing record.
The committee took the action to move the bill to appropriations and then completed on‑call voting later in the session.
