Amend the bill by striking out all of section 1 and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1. 36 MRSA §653, sub-§1, ¶¶L and M are enacted to read:
L.
For property tax years beginning on or after April 1, 2020 the following exemptions are increased or expanded:
(1) The exemptions under paragraphs C, C-1, D, D-1, D-2 and D-3 are expanded to include otherwise eligible veterans who served during the period from February 1, 1955 to February 27, 1961; and
(2) The exemptions provided under paragraphs C, C-1, D, D-2 and D-3 are increased to $10,000.
M. Notwithstanding paragraph H, a municipality granting increased or expanded exemptions under paragraph L is entitled to reimbursement from the State equal to 100% of the property tax revenue loss suffered by that municipality during the previous calendar year as a result of increased or expanded exemption authorized under paragraph L. Application for and processing of reimbursement due under this paragraph must be made in the manner provided in section 661.’
Amend the bill by adding after section 2 the following:
‘Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Veterans Tax Reimbursement 0407
Initiative: Provides one-time funding to reimburse municipalities for the cost of processing additional property tax exemption applications for veterans.
| GENERAL FUND |
2019-20 |
2020-21 |
|
All Other
|
$0 |
$25,000 |
|
 |
|
| GENERAL FUND TOTAL |
$0 |
$25,000 |
’
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section number to read consecutively.
summary
This amendment increases to $10,000 the property tax exemption for all categories of eligible veterans other than those receiving a $50,000 exemption for specially adapted housing units and who are paraplegic veterans. It also expands the dates of federally recognized war periods to include February 1, 1955 to February 27, 1961. State reimbursement is provided for 100% of the property tax revenue loss to municipalities as a result of the increase and expansion of exemptions.
The amendment also adds an appropriations and allocations section.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)