SPONSOR: Oehlerking
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Veterans and Armed Forces by a vote of 18 to 2.
The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HBs 2306, 2276 & 2089.
This bill establishes the "Missouri Disabled Veterans Homestead Exemption" which provides a tiered property tax exemption system for veterans with disabilities. The exemptions are based on a disability percentage, certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, an annual exemption will be given for a property that is used as a qualified residence owned by a veteran with a disability, limited to the amounts as follows:
(1) For veterans with a service-connected disability of 50% or more but less than 70%, the annual exemption is the first $150,000 of the fair market value;
(2) For veterans with a service-connected disability of 70% or more but less than 100%, the annual exemption is the first $250,000 of the fair market value;
(3) For veterans with service-connected disability of 100%, the annual exemption is equal to the first $500,000 of the fair market value.
The exemption carries over to the benefit of the disabled veteran's surviving spouse as long as the spouse holds the legal or beneficial title to the qualified residence and permanently resides there. The exemption for a surviving spouse will remain proportional to the disabled veteran's disability rating as of the time of the veteran's passing.
If the person awarded the exemption subsequently becomes a resident of a facility licensed under Chapter 198, a Missouri veterans' home, or a facility operated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the exemption will continue:
(1) If the residence continues to be occupied by the disabled veteran's spouse; or (2) If the residence remains unoccupied but is still owned by the disabled veteran who qualifies for the exemption.
The bill requires each taxpayer that is granted the exemption to reapply on an annual basis and provide documentation specified in the bill.
This bill is similar to HB 552 and HB 921 (2025).
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 this will provide a benefit that will keep veterans in Missouri. This bill honors veterans and provides some financial relief for their families.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Oehlerking; Missouri National Guard Association; Blake Leitch, Parmele Disability Advocate; Charles Canady; Charles A Sanders; Darrell Tucker; ABATE for Missouri; Dori Lawson; and Andy Davis.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that the State doesn't have enough money to do this. This would raise property taxes to make up for loss in tax revenue.
Testifying in person against the bill was Arnie Dienoff.
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.
Statutes affected: