The bill amends Section 44-3-4 of the General Laws concerning property tax exemptions for veterans and their families. The most significant change is the increase of the exemption amount from one thousand dollars ($1,000) to six thousand dollars ($6,000). It also allows municipalities to set their own exemption amounts, with some towns permitted to exceed the new minimum. Specific towns, such as Central Falls and Cumberland, can establish higher exemption limits, while the bill removes previous specific exemption amounts for towns like Cranston, Newport, and Smithfield, thereby granting local councils more flexibility in determining tax exemptions for veterans. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for exemptions based on service-connected disabilities, allowing for a ten-thousand dollar ($10,000) exemption for veterans who have received assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing. It clarifies eligibility criteria, ensuring that exemptions apply only to legal residents and specifying the necessary documentation for claiming the exemption. The bill also removes the provision for Coventry to provide a one-thousand-dollar exemption for active military members and allows Scituate to offer a tax credit instead of a tax exemption for disabled veterans. Overall, the bill aims to enhance financial relief for veterans and disabled individuals while providing local governments with the authority to tailor exemptions to their communities' needs.

Statutes affected:
5309: 44-3-4