Substitute House Bill No. 5491, Public Act No. 24-46, is a legislative measure that introduces a property tax exemption for veterans with a service-connected permanent and total disability as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill amends Section 12-81 of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes by adding subdivision (83), which allows for tax exemption on a dwelling or one motor vehicle owned by a qualifying veteran, or the property of the veteran's spouse or minor children if the veteran does not own such property. This exemption also extends to the surviving spouse or minor children of a deceased veteran who was eligible for the exemption. The bill includes insertions and deletions to update legal language, such as changing "person" to "resident" and replacing "his or her" with "such veteran's" or "such individual's" for gender neutrality. Additionally, it provides for retroactive tax abatements or refunds for up to three years for those who could not submit evidence of their disability rating in time.

The bill outlines the procedures for applying for tax abatements or refunds, including the involvement of municipal authorities and the requirement for individuals to submit proof of their disability rating to qualify for exemptions. It also mandates that veterans with modified disability ratings resubmit proof to maintain their exemption, except when the rating is changed to permanent and total disability. Furthermore, the bill repeals and replaces Section 12-95 of the general statutes, effective October 1, 2024, to prevent individuals from receiving exemptions under multiple subdivisions of section 12-81 without providing necessary proof. The bill permits municipalities to offer a property tax exemption as a percentage of the assessed value of a specially equipped motor vehicle for a veteran with a disability, ensuring that no multiple exemptions are granted for a single vehicle.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 12-95
FIN Joint Favorable Substitute: 12-95, 12-81h
File No. 561: 12-95, 12-81h
Public Act No. 24-46: 12-95, 12-81h