Resolve, To Create a Working Group To Review the Property Tax Exemption for Veterans

Sec. 1. Convene working group. Resolved: That the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue Services shall convene a working group to review the current property tax exemption for veterans and make recommendations for changes that will increase the property tax exemption for qualified post-World War I veterans. The working group must include representatives of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services. The Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue Services shall invite the participation of the Maine Municipal Association and other interested stakeholders; and be it further

Sec. 2. Duties of working group. Resolved: That the working group under section 1 shall review alternatives for increasing the property tax exemption for qualified post-World War I veterans. The alternatives must include, but are not limited to, an increase on a one-time basis, an increase over time through indexing to the Consumer Price Index or a 5% annual increase. The working group shall review the financial and administrative impact on state and local government as well as the benefit to veterans; and be it further

Sec. 3. Report recommendations. Resolved: That, by January 15, 2011, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue Services shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over taxation matters the findings and recommendations of the working group under section 1.