Transcript Highlights:

• And also, that includes surviving spouses of veterans whose deaths were service-connected, and they also
• The surviving spouse retains that after their spouse passes on. They retain it.
• The surviving spouse, he's absolutely right.
• clarifies that the credit must carry over to the surviving spouse in the event that the veteran passes
• And then to comment, you know, I echo those sentiments about if there's a surviving spouse, that spouse

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where it adopted committee substitutes and voted do pass on House Bills 383, 2940, and 1869 by unanimous roll-call votes. The chair then moved to public hearings and announced shortened testimony times because of the late hour. A large portion of the hearing focused on several nearly identical proposals to provide property tax relief to disabled veterans and, in some versions, surviving spouses. Representatives Jobe, Crosley, Bolerking, Schmidt, and Jones described different approaches: tiered exemptions based on VA disability ratings, homestead-based exemptions, county opt-in or opt-out provisions, sunsets, and in some bills relief tied to assessed value or personal property/vehicle taxes. Committee members raised questions about acreage limits, transfer of benefits to new residences, remarriage of surviving spouses, annual recertification, and whether counties should have discretion. Several witnesses in favor, including veterans and veterans’ advocates, urged broader eligibility, especially for 100% permanent and total veterans and those with individual unemployability, and argued the benefit would help veterans remain in Missouri. A public advocate opposed the bills on fiscal grounds, citing large projected costs to local governments, school districts, and state funds. The committee also heard testimony from veterans and advocates on the importance of recognizing spouses and families, and on the need to avoid burdensome county administration. Representative Schmidt presented two related bills, one offering a percentage-based property tax discount and another creating a homestead tax credit with county participation and a market-value cap; members discussed combining the measures and revising sunset and spouse language. Representative Jones presented bills extending relief to 100% disabled veterans and to personal property/vehicles, emphasizing that counties could opt in and that the credit should not shift costs to other taxpayers. The hearing ended before the final witness finished, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Secondly, page three lines 52 through 54, it talks about veteran surviving spouse, as long as the spouse
• She's no longer the spouse of that veteran.
• She's no longer the spouse of that veteran.
• But it's the benefit that's occurring to the surviving spouse.
• Now the veteran has passed away. Now we got the surviving spouse there, and she ends up in a home.

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Transcript Highlights:

• Secondly, page three, lines 52 through 54, it talks about veterans surviving spouse, as long as the spouse
• She's no longer the spouse of that veteran. She marries another.
• But it's the benefit that's occurring to the surviving spouse.
• Now the veteran has passed away, now we got the surviving spouse there, and she ends up in a home.
• , so if the surviving spouse, whether they get married or not, does that, So if the surviving spouse,

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The Committee on Veterans and Armed Forces met with a quorum and began with remarks honoring veterans on the committee, including presentation of Capitol-flown flags and certificates. The chair also announced new decorum rules, including a ban on hats except religious headwear, and reminded members about the importance of truthful testimony. The committee then moved into executive session to consider several bills related to veterans’ issues and benefits. The committee first took up House Bill 3029, which dealt with regulating veterans benefits matters and limiting bad actors who charge veterans for claims assistance. Members discussed concerns about private companies, accredited service officers, veterans’ choice, and whether the bill would reduce access or create future problems with VA reviews. Amendments were adopted to clarify that the bill would not cover housing loans and to remove a paragraph affecting certain registered providers. After debate, the committee voted 14-7 to do pass the House Committee Substitute for HB 3029. The committee then approved House Bill 3280, concerning spouse disability license plates, by a unanimous 21-0 vote. Next, the committee considered House Bill 2306 along with related bills HB 2276 and HB 2089 in a combined committee substitute. The measure would create property tax exemptions for disabled veterans and surviving spouses based on assessed value, with categories tied to disability ratings. Members asked detailed questions about how the exemption would interact with short-term rentals, remarriage, unoccupied homes, and the senior tax freeze. The sponsor explained the exemption would apply to a qualified primary residence and continue in certain cases such as assisted living or veterans homes. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted 18-2 to do pass the combined bill package. After the votes, the committee heard testimony from Heather, founder and executive director of Healing House and New Beginnings, a Christ-centered recovery program for women with substance use disorder. She described the program’s housing, recovery support, accreditation, and community outreach, and members praised its work. The committee also heard from Steve Baker of the Cass County Veterans Coalition, who described a local volunteer network that connects veterans to jobs and services. He emphasized that the coalition does not provide services itself but helps veterans find the right resources. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then whatever the. disabled veterans and at the bottom, surviving spouse. Okay.
• I am a surviving spouse of a Vietnam veteran.
• As the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, I strongly support legislation to create a surviving spouse
• My plate is worded 'surviving spouse disabled veteran.'
• Then with that said, if the veteran happens to be deceased, that veteran's surviving spouse or surviving

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Transcript Highlights:

• considering disposition of the family home, a court should consider the potential for homelessness of a spouse

Bills: SB5536 , SB5868 , SJM8006 , SB6011

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: divorce, dissolution, marriage, domestic partnership, property division, real property, community property, separate property, liabilities, family law, equitable distribution, court order, personal jurisdiction, absent spouse, absent domestic partner, creditors, secured creditors, unsecured creditors, home equity, family home

Transcript Highlights:

• And so at the top, it would say disabled veterans, and at the bottom, surviving spouse. Okay.
• I am a surviving spouse of a Vietnam veteran. My husband proudly served our country.
• As the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, I strongly support” “Legislation to create a surviving
• My plate is worded ‘surviving spouse disabled veteran.’
• Then, with that said, if the veteran happens to be deceased, that veteran's surviving spouse or surviving

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where it adopted a House Committee substitute combining House Bills 3078 and 2672 and voted the substitute do pass, with one no vote. It then separately voted House Bill 2362 and House Bill 2588 do pass, each by 16 ayes and one no. During the executive session, one member objected to the combined bill on constitutional equal-protection grounds, while another supported it as a benefit for veterans. In public hearing, Representative Stephanie Boykin presented House Bill 3280, which would create a Missouri specialty license plate for the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran who previously qualified for a disabled veteran plate. She described it as a low-cost way to continue honoring a veteran’s service and family sacrifice. Committee members and a surviving spouse testified in strong support, emphasizing the recognition of spouses’ sacrifices and noting that similar plates exist in other states. No opposition was offered. The committee then heard House Bill 3029, sponsored by Representative Schulte, which would require disclosures and prohibit compensation for referrals in the business of advising or assisting with veterans’ benefits, with penalties for violations. Supporters, including a Missouri veterans service officer, argued the bill was needed to stop unaccredited “claim shark” companies from charging veterans for initial claims and using misleading social media advertising. Opponents, including a representative of Veterans Guardian and a VA-accredited attorney, argued the bill would restrict lawful private-sector assistance, reduce veterans’ choice, and should be narrowed to target bad actors while exempting accredited attorneys and referral arrangements. The hearing also included a presentation on the Missouri Veterans Recognition Program, which provides medals and certificates for veterans of major conflicts, and a presentation on MU Extension’s Veteran REEDS program, which uses literature and discussion to support veterans and first responders through community-based resilience work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Within this bill, it says a Gold Star spouse is the surviving unmarried spouse of a veteran.
• And so it would be extending a benefit that we have toward veterans to someone who was not a veteran,
• Also, not to continue to go down that rabbit hole regarding the unmarried surviving spouse, but only
• Maybe drill down a little bit more about surviving spouse and about your funding mechanism.
• spouses get, Reduced or narrowly tailored benefit that surviving spouses get if they remarry.

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Transcript Highlights:

• surviving spouse.
• surviving spouse.
• surviving spouse.
• surviving spouse.
• surviving spouse.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• For those of you who don't know, the veteran workoff program is available to veterans or spouses of deceased
• veterans or spouses who have a veteran that has a service-related disability.
• or their surviving spouses who are rated 100% disabled by the U.S.
• Veterans and surviving spouses need only file once to receive their tax exemptions yearly.
• As veterans, surviving spouses need only to file once to receive. exemption as veterans surviving spouses

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on 32 bills related to veterans and service members, with opening remarks from Chair Madaro and Senator Eldridge emphasizing the committee’s work on tax credits and property tax relief, including follow-up to the HERO Act of 2024. The chairs outlined hearing procedures, noted the August 23 reporting deadline for House-filed matters, and explained that testimony would focus on issues including voluntary contributions, sales tax, property tax, and economic development. No votes were taken during the hearing. Several bills drew testimony in support of expanding or simplifying veterans’ property tax benefits. Rep. Sylvia supported H. 3255 to raise the veterans’ property tax workoff cap from $1,500 to $2,000, matching the senior workoff program. Rep. Soder and Sen. Moore advocated for stronger property tax relief for disabled veterans, including H. 3245 and S. 2046, with Moore proposing a disability-based exemption and state reimbursement to municipalities. Rep. McGregor supported H. 3175, which would eliminate the need for veterans to refile annually for exemptions unless their status changes, arguing it would reduce burdens on veterans and assessors. Testimony also addressed line-of-duty death benefits and local implementation concerns. Mary Ann Cardi supported H. 3188 to clarify that surviving spouses of police and fire personnel who died in the line of duty qualify for a full real estate exemption. Chris Clark, Senator Sear, and Counselor Ludke all backed the veterans’ workoff bill, describing it as an equity fix that would align the veterans’ program with the senior program and help municipalities like Barnstable use the benefit more effectively. After hearing from all scheduled speakers and confirming no additional in-person testimony, the chairs adjourned the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Within this bill, it says a Gold Star spouse is the surviving unmarried spouse of a veteran.
• And so it would be extending a benefit that we have toward veterans to someone who was not a veteran,
• Also, not to continue to go down that rabbit hole regarding the unmarried surviving spouse, but only
• I wanted to touch on a couple of topics, maybe drill down a little bit more about surviving spouse and
• spouses get if they remarry.

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The Special Committee on Veterans heard House Bill 2535 from Representative Don Mayhew, which would provide property tax relief for disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, and certain surviving spouses, with the bill’s main distinction being a funding mechanism based on tobacco-related taxes, including a cigarette tax increase and taxes on vape and other tobacco products. Mayhew said the bill is intended to fund the benefit at the state level rather than shifting the burden to counties, and he emphasized that it is a state property tax benefit, not tied to federal veterans benefits. Members discussed whether surviving spouses should keep the benefit if they remarry, whether the language should be narrowed or reduced, and whether dependent children or Gold Star families should be included more broadly. Testimony in support came from veterans and veterans’ advocates who said the bill would help disabled veterans and surviving spouses remain in their homes and would spread the cost statewide instead of leaving counties to absorb it. Some supporters also urged keeping Purple Heart recipients in the bill and expanding protections for surviving spouses and dependent children. One veteran witness said the funding mechanism made the bill more workable for local governments, while another said the benefit should not be reduced if a surviving spouse remarries. Opposition focused mainly on the tax structure. The Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Association opposed the funding mechanism, arguing that cigarettes are already heavily taxed, that Missouri’s border-state competitiveness could be harmed, that federal changes to hemp-derived products could undercut projected revenue, and that voters have rejected prior tobacco tax increases. A small-business witness also objected to the vape and hemp tax burden. The Department of Revenue provided fiscal information, estimating that the bill could raise significant state revenue but also noting that some projected revenue depends on current hemp law and that cigarette-tax increases could reduce cigarette sales and shift purchases to other products. No vote was taken, and the hearing was concluded after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• surviving spouses of service members who die because of their service-connected death, and they remain
• surviving spouses of service members who die because of their service-connected death, and they remain
• surviving spouses of service members who die because of their service-connected death, and they remain
• This is substantively identical and permit surviving spouses, or substantively identical, I should say
• , and they permit surviving spouses of service members who die because of their service-connected death

Transcript Highlights:

• , or the unmarried surviving spouse of a disabled veteran.
• We've also ensured that the surviving spouse of a 100% disabled veteran who died due to service-connected
• This was brought to my attention by a surviving spouse, a veteran who is here today to share her story
• This exemption applies to surviving spouses of veterans who have not remarried, who died from qualifying
• I know you represent Bell County and you do have a lot of veterans and surviving spouses of veterans,

Bills: HB249 , HB 1186 , HB2313 , HB2408 , HB2508 , HB2730 , HB2974 , HB3045 , HB3232 , HB3336 , HB3710 , HB4044 , HB4236 , HJR133 , HB249

Committee: House Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:30:06.760><c> become</c> surviving while his spouse has become surviving while his spouse has
• spouse at that know how his surviving spouse at that point<00:30:23.519><c> will</c><00:30:23.679><c
• </c> honorable uh for the surviving honorable uh for the surviving spouses I was in the room when we
• spouses. there you try to go as a surviving there you try to go as a surviving spouse<00:36:14.440><
• that</c><00:36:31.160><c> they</c> surviving spouses the benefit that they surviving spouses the benefit

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• Every one of us works every day to look into the eyes of that veteran or that surviving spouse and say
• Actually, just 21,500 veterans, not including their families and surviving spouses.
• Each year, our office works with thousands of veterans, surviving spouses, and family members through
• Chair, I believe collectively we can absolutely represent every veteran and every surviving spouse and
• First, we help the veteran, then we bury the veteran, then we help the surviving spouse, then we bury

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting of the session with member introductions and a statement from the chair that veterans issues would remain distinct and receive separate attention. The first item was an update on the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley from Executive Director Randall Dietrich. He said the museum has operated for nearly 50 years, has outgrown its current space, and is building a new 40,000-square-foot facility with $32 million in state support plus several million more in private funding. He described construction progress, planned exhibits including restored military artifacts and the USS Ward gun, and said the museum is scheduled to open on September 12. In response to Senator Kunish, Dietrich said the museum is actively incorporating stories and flags representing women, tribal nations, and other underrepresented groups, including 11 tribal flags at the entrance, and is working to integrate those stories throughout the galleries rather than isolating them. The committee then received an update from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on the veterans suicide prevention plan from Rachel Johnson, Veterans Committee Health Director, with John Kelly later answering questions on department impacts. Johnson said the plan is a coordinated statewide framework built with legislative support, expanding regional coordinators, veteran health navigators, data analytics, and community partnerships, including a suicide mortality review pilot in Hennepin County. She said Minnesota loses about 100 veterans a year to suicide, that firearms remain the primary mechanism, and that prevention must address community connection, economic stability, and access to care, not just clinical treatment. She also said the plan aligns with state and federal strategies and is intended as a living roadmap. In response to questions, Johnson said the department is exploring data-sharing policy issues, has not seen a direct financial impact from federal VA staffing changes, and is tracking federal proposals affecting VA advisory groups. She also said 988 data is available in general but more Minnesota-specific data on the veteran option is still being gathered. Members asked follow-up questions about trends in veteran suicide, the role of families in identifying warning signs, and the Hennepin County mortality review pilot. Johnson said the annual number has remained around 100 for about 15 years, with a dip in 2024 and a return to that level in 2025, and that the Hennepin County pilot was chosen because it offers a manageable geography and existing coalition work, with an initial review expected by May or June. The final item began a presentation from the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers. Legislative chair Larry Fonder said the group’s priorities are protecting veterans from fraud and modernizing the property tax benefit for disabled veterans, but the presentation would focus on educating the committee about the role, training, certification, and accountability of county veteran service officers. President Tom Anderson, the Winona County VSO and a Navy veteran, began describing his background and office staffing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Surviving spouses of disabled veterans continue to receive the exclusion benefit after the veteran dies
• Their surviving spouse will see a 59% reduction in her VA benefits when the veteran passes away.
• , surviving spouses. he is worried that his surviving spouse he is worried that his surviving spouse
• It is a shift of the tax burden from eligible veterans and surviving spouses to the rest of the tax base
• Trent Dils outlined that it is a shift of the tax burden from eligible veterans and surviving spouses

Bills: HF169 , HF195 , HF194 , HF1756 , HF2133

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• When that veteran dies, transfer the relationship to the surviving spouse and ensure that the surviving
• And I want to illustrate where the current law fails the surviving spouse.
• spouses because I feel an obligation to raise the voice of the surviving spouse.
• The veteran spouse move into assisted living And the veteran passes away and the spouse does not need
• And I would argue that the surviving spouse carries an extreme burden.

Bills: HF3727 , HF3684 , HF3467

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• Surviving unmarried spouses of disabled veterans also qualify. for a tax deduction if the property was
• These financial impacts can be life-altering to the surviving spouse and family.
• surviving spouses of servicemembers killed in the line of duty.
• and their surviving spouses.
• and surviving spouse exemptions.

Bills: HB485 , HB1367 , HB1370 , HB1827 , HB1879 , HB2032 , HB2133 , HB2357 , HB3581 , HB3830 , HB4060 , HB4085 , HB4270 , HB4979 , HB5217 , HB5268 , HB5478 , HJR96 , HJR97 , HJR119 , HJR195 , HJR209 , SB4 , SB23 , SJR2 , SJR85 , SB 4 , SB 23 , SJR 2

Committee: House Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• spouses, and surviving spouses, to create veteran- and spouse-designated nursing home beds in a skilled
• , their spouses, and surviving spouses, to create veteran- and spouse-designated nursing home beds in
• We take care of surviving spouses and military retirees in the community of Shalimar, which is the Fort
• It does more in the university partnership for ag training, providing stipends for veteran spouses in
• and spouses, as well as business filing waives a one-time $120 state fee for veterans starting new businesses

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and took up three veteran-related bills. SB 78 would allow the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs to authorize a nonprofit retirement community serving only veterans, spouses, and surviving spouses to create veteran- and spouse-designated nursing home beds in a skilled nursing facility, including transfer of certificate-of-need beds within 100 miles. The Air Force Enlisted Village CEO testified in support, saying it would add needed skilled nursing care to their continuum; the bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS for SB 1280, a broad veterans bill that modernizes employment and training programs, renames the program the Veterans Florida Opportunity Program, creates a job-training grant program, adjusts reimbursement caps, expands university/agriculture training stipends for veteran spouses, provides various fee reliefs, waives a one-time state business filing fee for veterans, and expands veterans’ treatment courts. Two amendments were adopted: one changed the state flagship designation to the SS American Victory and allowed disabled veteran designation on specialty plates via a DV embossing, while removing outdated references; the second removed hunting and fishing license provisions due to funding concerns. Veterans Florida representatives waved in support, and the committee reported the bill favorably as amended. Finally, SB 1282 created a public records exemption for information submitted to the Veterans Florida Opportunity Program when veterans are developing business opportunities, protecting trade secrets and related sensitive information from disclosure. Veterans Florida supported the measure, and after brief debate the bill was reported favorably. The committee then briefly reconsidered the vote for recording purposes and adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and our women veterans.
• When scholars put together, or try with women, veterans, or veterans in mind.
• , and our women veterans.
• We have veterans. We have military spouses. Just. People on our staff that are military-connected.
• We have veterans. We have military spouses. We have military brats of the different branches.

Summary: The committee heard updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Navy Region Northwest, Fairchild Air Force Base, the Coast Guard, state licensing agencies, the Professional Educator Standards Board, the Washington National Guard, and a veterans behavioral health presenter. Across the military briefings, common themes were readiness, infrastructure, and quality-of-life issues for service members and families, especially child care, housing, food insecurity, medical and dental access, and military spouse employment. JBLM highlighted its role in Indo-Pacific readiness, ongoing PFAS cleanup, 212 new family housing units under construction, efforts to expand child care, and continued work to keep the Lewis Army Museum open. Navy Region Northwest discussed its major installations and economic impact, the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan, future carrier and submarine homeporting needs, and asked the legislature to continue support for licensure compacts, educational stability for military children, housing, and medical access. Fairchild emphasized its tanker and survival missions, child care shortages, food insecurity, aging housing, and concerns about wind turbine development near flight paths, while the Coast Guard focused on rebuilding Base Seattle for new icebreakers and on rural access to housing, medical care, and child care at dispersed stations like Neah Bay. Members repeatedly raised food insecurity and asked for follow-up on solutions. JBLM and Fairchild both described increased demand for food assistance during the shutdown, and committee members noted progress in getting mobile food vans onto JBLM. The presenters also praised state action on military spouse licensure and child care, including Senate Bill 5545 and related compact and portability efforts. The Department of Licensing reported about 9,000 self-identified military members or spouses licensed, with average time-to-license just under nine days, and said applications are prioritized when military status is self-identified. The Department of Health said its military-to-civilian crosswalk now covers more than 35 health professions, that temporary practice permits and expedited processing are in place, and that 1,300 credentials were issued to military spouses and domestic partners and 129 to military-trained health professionals in the last fiscal year, all within 30 days. The Professional Educator Standards Board explained that military spouses and service members can receive expedited teacher certification with reduced documentation, and that they are moved to the front of the review queue when they self-identify. Members asked about verification, and staff said the process relies on attestation with investigatory safeguards if needed. The Washington National Guard briefed on its dual state and federal mission, the impact of the recent shutdown on nearly 700 employees who worked without pay, and policy and budget requests including youth academy protections, alignment of the Washington Code of Military Justice with the UCMJ, making Civil Air Patrol a division of the Military Department, 911 funding, disaster assistance, and capital funding for headquarters and readiness facilities. The Guard also warned about drone threats and said it wants authority to identify, track, and monitor suspicious drones. A veterans behavioral health presenter, an Army combat veteran and clinical social worker, described high suicide risk, barriers to care, and the need for more culturally competent services, especially for women veterans and caregivers. He said Washington veterans’ suicide rate remains above the national average and emphasized that childcare, transportation, and provider shortages can prevent timely treatment. Members generally responded supportively throughout, asked for follow-up on food security and other issues, and encouraged agencies to bring forward legislative ideas for future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It carries the credit forward for surviving spouses who remain unmarried and in the home.
• spouses.
• And if the surviving spouse, if he or she were to ever remarry or to move from that, the taxes would
• And if the surviving spouse, if he or she were to ever remarry or to move from that, the taxes would
• This measure provides essential property tax relief for Missouri's disabled veterans and qualifying surviving

Committee: House Special Committee on Tax Reform