Posted on April 30, 2024
HARTFORD– State Rep. Martin Foncello (R-107) spoke on Monday in support of a bill to provide financial relief to veterans who have lost their income earning capacity due to their permanent and total disability. After debate, the legislation was approved through a unanimous vote of 143-0.
The legislation, HB 5491 – An Act Establishing a Property Tax Exemption for Veterans Who Have a Service-Connected Permanent and Total Disability Rating, creates a property tax exemption for a primary residence or motor vehicle for each veteran who has a permanent and total disability rating. A permanent rating means the department has decided that the service-connected injury will have a long-lasting impact on the rest of the veteran’s life.
“I want to thank everyone who was involved in putting this legislation together,” said Foncello. “Everywhere I go when I speak to veterans, I’m asked about benefits like this. We wouldn’t be here doing what we do today if it wasn’t for them doing what they did back then. This is a small price to pay.”
View Foncello’s comments from the floor here.
To qualify, former service members must have served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, or Space Force; reside in Connecticut; and file for the exemption with their town assessor.
Currently, 39 states exempt or provide significantly greater tax relief to their 100% disabled veterans.
The bill now moves to the State Senate for further debate and a vote. The legislative session ends midnight Wednesday on May 8.