Veterans' Affairs Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6429
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE EXPANSION OF
Title: PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR CERTAIN VETERANS.
Vote Date: 3/18/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 2/18/2021
File No.: 261
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Veterans' Affairs Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
In this legislative session, a number of proposed bills were introduced related to property tax
relief for veterans. The Veterans' Affairs Committee recognizes that this issue is important
and is proposing to take a comprehensive look at how property tax relief for veterans can be
most appropriately structured to recognize the service of veterans to our country while
balancing the fiscal needs of our municipalities.
***Proposed Substitute Language: In LCO#4890, standard language related to Task Forces
is removed and replaced by language establishing a working group consisting of the
leadership of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and members with expertise in property tax or
veterans' benefits. A report on findings would be submitted no later than January 1, 2022.
This substitute language ensures that all necessary stakeholders are part of the process.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Commissioner Thomas Saadi, Department of Veterans Affairs: Commissioner Saadi provided
written and spoken testimony in support of this bill. He recommended the creation of a task
force with the following members: members of the VA Committee, the Commissioners of
Veterans Affairs and Revenue Services, the Office of Policy and Management, Statewide
Veteran Service Organization Leaders and representatives from the CT Conference of
Municipalities and Council of Small Towns. This task force could conduct a review of existing
Veteran tax exemptions and also consider permissive approaches that provide municipalities
with the flexibility to adopt increased levels of exemptions based on local capabilities.
Commissioner Saadi is opposed to SB-611, as the DVA does not have the staff or expertise
to manage a study of property tax abatements.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
None expressed on HB-6429.
Support for other property tax-related bills listed below.
Proposed SB-412 AN ACT REQUIRING THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR
DISABLED VETERANS BE ADJUSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COST-OF-
LIVING ADJUSTMENT.
o Sen. Catherine A. Osten, 19th Dist.
Proposed SB-611 - AN ACT REQUIRING THE COMMISSIONER OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS.
o Sen. Catherine A. Osten, 19th Dist.
Proposed HB-5738 - AN ACT EXCLUDING VETERANS' DISABILITY BENEFITS
FROM QUALIFYING INCOME WHEN DETERMINING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.
o Rep. Bill Buckbee, 67th Dist.
Proposed HB-5739 - AN ACT REQUIRING MUNICIPALITIES TO GRANT A
PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION TO GOLD STAR PARENTS AND GOLD STAR
SPOUSES.
AND
Proposed HB-6315 - AN ACT INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF A PROPERTY TAX
EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN VETERANS
o Rep. Ron Napoli, 73rd Dist.
o Joseph Nolan, Gold Star Parent
Proposed SB-787 - AN ACT EXEMPTING CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS FROM
PROPERTY TAX.
o Sen. Kevin Kelly (spoken testimony)
o Heidi Cornell, veteran
o Brenda Kupchick, First Selectwoman, Fairfield
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed on HB-6429.
Opposition to all property tax-related bills listed below.
o Proposed SB-412 - AN ACT REQUIRING THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR
DISABLED VETERANS BE ADJUSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COST-OF-
LIVING ADJUSTMENT.
o Proposed HB-5738 - AN ACT EXCLUDING VETERANS' DISABILITY BENEFITS
FROM QUALIFYING INCOME WHEN DETERMINING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.
o Proposed HB-5739 - AN ACT REQUIRING MUNICIPALITIES TO GRANT A
PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION TO GOLD STAR PARENTS AND GOLD STAR
SPOUSES.
o Proposed SB-787 - AN ACT EXEMPTING CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS FROM
PROPERTY TAX.
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 o Proposed HB-6315 - AN ACT INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF A PROPERTY TAX
EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN VETERANS
o Randy Collins, Advocacy Manager, CCM
o Betsy Gara, Executive Director, COST
o Proposed SB-611 - AN ACT REQUIRING THE COMMISSIONER OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS.
o Gary Brown, veteran
Reported by: Erica Byrne, Clerk Date: March 25, 2021
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