I will be reintroducing Senate Bill 599 of the 2023-2024 legislative session to treat banquet halls of VFWs and American Legions in the same manner as fire stations and libraries when being considered for tax exemptions.

This issue was brought to my attention by a local American Legion, whose members found that their building was subject to property taxes because they rented out their hall for events, but fire halls and libraries were not. Although their case was appealed and ultimately won, it pointed to the ambiguity in our tax laws.

Many veterans groups are working hard to attract members, maintain their buildings, and pay their bills. This legislation will help veterans’ groups who rent out their building to outside groups as a source of revenue.

Previous cosponsors of this legislation included Senators Hutchinson, Pennycuick, Aument, Stefano, Kane, Bartolotta, Brown, Mastriano, Robinson, J. Ward and Regan.

I hope you will join me in cosponsoring this simple change to the law to help veterans’ organizations.