SPONSOR: Kelley (127)
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Special Committee on Tax Reform by a vote of 10 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Legislative Oversight by a vote of 7 to 3.
The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HJR 7.
Upon voter approval, this proposed Constitutional amendment authorizes a real and personal property tax exemption for any military veteran who has a 100% service-connected disability rating and is a resident of this state. The term "disabled veteran" is defined in the resolution.
This resolution is similar to HJR 73 (2022) and HJR 3 (2021).
The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that military veterans have sacrificed greatly for our country, and Missouri should reward that sacrifice with a freeze on their property tax assessments. Since military veterans often live on fixed incomes, they already struggle to make ends meet. As property assessments rise, veterans are oftentimes forced out of their homes. Furthermore, many of these homes have been modified to accommodate any disabilities the homeowner might have. Such modifications do not come standard in most homes, and therefore require a significant capital outlay.
Testifying in person for the bill was Representative Kelley.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill say that the resolution should make the tax exemption available to the spouse of a disabled veteran.
Testifying in person on the bill was Peggy Don Yates, Silver Haired Legislature.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.