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Committee advances bill to expand school tax exemption eligibility for disabled veterans
Summary
The House Education Committee voted to advance HB 349, which would lower the school tax exemption threshold for disabled veterans from 100% to 80% disability, with an amendment setting an effective date of Jan. 1, 2027; the sponsor said the state would backfill district funding so school budgets are not reduced.
Representative Carson introduced House Bill 349 to broaden a school tax exemption for disabled veterans, saying the measure would lower the qualifying disability rating from 100% to 80% and help veterans avoid home loss or foreclosure. "By putting money back in our veterans' pockets, House Bill 349 can help prevent home loss or foreclosure for our veterans and possibly reduce their need for other state assistance programs," the sponsor told the committee.
The bill preserves the funding mechanism established for the earlier 100% exemption: Carson said each school district would not lose funding because the state would backfill revenue lost to the exemption. House Amendment 1 makes a technical change to set the bill's effective date to Jan. 1, 2027.
Committee members praised the change as a way to extend benefits to veterans with severe disabilities, calling 80% "a recognized benchmark for severe disability." A sponsor and supporters linked the change to reduced earning capacity and increased financial pressure for many veterans.
There were no in-person or virtual public comments on the bill during the committee hearing. Committee members moved to release HB 349; the roll-call vote carried and Chair Williams announced the motion passed after receiving the required number of votes.
Next steps: HB 349 was released from the House Education Committee for further consideration by the full House. The committee did not record amendments to the bill text during the hearing beyond the effective-date technical correction.
