This legislative session we are witnessing a rather large number of bills aimed at providing benefits for veterans. Most of these bills did not get very far. The few that are still alive are mostly related to disabilities and other medical problems.
Any time that we consider providing benefits for any specific group, it is important that those benefits go only to those individuals that are legitimate members of the group.
HB2030 – impersonation; veteran; armed forces This bill establishes substantial penalties for those who fake or exaggerate their service record for the purpose of gaining financial assistance or preferential treatment relating to employment, running for office, etc. In a rare moment of unanimity, HB2030 passed a vote of the full House 58-0, with 2 not voting.
A related article may be read HERE
Mental health has been an issue with veterans ever since there have been wars. To address this issue, the legislature has established a revolving fund via AZ Revised Statute 44-1531.02. This next bill provides funding for that endeavor as follows
HB2320 – appropriation; veterans’ services; mental health
Appropriates $1,000,000 from the Consumer Remediation Subaccount to the Department of Veterans Affairs in FY 2026 for grant programs to nonprofit organizations that provide specified behavioral health services for veterans and members of the armed forces. It cleared the Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee 6-0.
Veterans seeking assistance with VA benefits are often the target of unscrupulous people seeking a quick, easy buck. This bill established strict guidance for those who receive compensation for advising veterans.
HB2842 – advising; veterans’ benefits; requirements
Details restrictions for receiving compensation for advisement in a veterans’ benefits matter and specifies instructions for relevant persons and entities involved in this process. HB2842 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Government Committee February 19.
When it comes to property taxes, there is a multitude of full or partial exemptions granted to individuals and corporations for a variety of reasons. It is difficult to find a group of individuals more deserving of special treatment than disabled veterans, especially those disability is service related. There are three bills dealing with this subject making their way through the House. Two of those bills have identical language. HB2406 and HCR2023 are a regular bill and a voter referral bill, respectively.
HB2406 – property tax; exemption; combat veterans
HCR2023 – property tax; combat veterans; exemption
They grant a complete exemption from property tax to combat veterans with a service connected disability which is combat related and is rated as 100% by The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
This third bill is very similar, but different in some respects. The two most striking differences are that the disabled veteran does not have to be a combat veteran, and the surviving spouse may continue to receive the exemption if some requirements are met.
HB2672 – property tax; exemption; veterans; disabilities
The property of a veteran with a service connected disability whose disability rating by the United States department of veterans affairs is one hundred percent is fully exempt from taxation. A surviving spouse of a veteran whose property is eligible for the exemption under this subsection may continue to claim the full exemption as long as the surviving spouse uses the property as the surviving spouse’s primary residence and the surviving spouse does not remarry.
All three bills dealing with the property tax exemption for disabled veterans are scheduled for a hearing in the House Ways & Means Committee on February 19.
Yawn
UPDATE: On February 19, the House Ways and Means Committee advanced all three bills as follows: HB2406 5-4, HB2672 8-0, HCR2023 5-4
for as long as there has been wars – there is a cost – ask a vet – I’d bet they’d rather not be eligible.