Bill > SB296

This bill provides a property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans and their surviving spouses, specifically for properties that serve as the principal residence. The exemption applies to veterans who are blind in both eyes, have lost the use of two or more limbs, or are totally disabled due to a service-related injury or disease, and will be valid for property tax lien dates between January 1, 2026, and January 1, 2036. The bill allows an unmarried surviving spouse to claim the same exemption under certain conditions, such as if the veteran qualified for the exemption during their lifetime or died from a service-connected injury. To receive the exemption, claimants must provide documentation from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs demonstrating their disability rating. The exemption is mutually exclusive with other property tax exemptions, meaning a claimant cannot receive multiple exemptions for the same property. The legislation also requires the State Board of Equalization to collect and report data annually to help the Legislature evaluate the effectiveness of the exemption in reducing homelessness among disabled veterans. Importantly, while the bill imposes additional administrative duties on local tax officials, it stipulates that the state will not reimburse local agencies for the property tax revenues lost due to this exemption.

Budget and Finance, Military Affairs and Security

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB296