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JLARC: veterans' adaptive-equipment exemption provides relief but federal grant participation has fallen
Summary
JLARC reported the automotive adaptive-equipment sales-and-use exemption continues to offer financial relief to eligible veterans and service members, with at least $1.5M in beneficiary savings since 2019, but noted a 53% drop in VA grant participation between 2020 and 2025 and recommended continuing the preference.
JLARC staff reviewed the sales-and-use tax exemption for add-on automotive adaptive equipment for eligible veterans and active-duty service members and concluded it continues to provide financial relief to beneficiaries, even as usage has declined. Staff reported beneficiaries saved at least $1,500,000 since 2019 and projected modest future savings through FY2027.
Staff also cited federal data showing the number of Washington veterans receiving assistance from the VA Automotive Adaptive Grant Program dropped from 88 to 41 since 2020, a 53% decline, and that the total federal grant awards to in-state veterans declined from $2.5M to $1.3M over the same period. JLARC said it reached out to the VA for more information on the program's administration and the causes of the decline, but the VA did not respond to staff outreach.
