This bill amends the General Property Tax Act to provide tax exemptions for real property used and owned as a homestead by disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. Specifically, it establishes that a disabled veteran or a surviving spouse of a disabled veteran who was eligible for the exemption prior to their death can claim an exemption from property taxes. The exemption continues for the surviving spouse as long as they do not remarry and applies to any homestead property they acquire after the veteran's death. To obtain the exemption, an application must be filed with the local assessing officer within the calendar year, and the taxes must be canceled for any year in which the eligible individual acquires title to the exempt property.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for the proration of the exemption if the property is not used as a homestead for the entire tax year. It also specifies that real property exempt under this section after December 31, 2025, will be subject to the specific tax levied under the disabled veteran's homestead specific tax act, which must also be prorated in cases of partial exemption. The definition of "disabled veteran" is clarified, and the language regarding the criteria for disability has been updated. The bill will take effect only if House Bill No. 4443 is enacted into law.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 211.7