An Act relating to the exemption from taxation of real property used as the primary residence of the widow or widower of a resident 65 years of age or older, and to tax equivalency payments for the widow or widower of a resident 65 years of age or older.

Senate Bill 267 extends the senior or disabled veteran property tax exemption to a widow or widower of an eligible resident. Under current law, a resident 65 years of age or older is exempt from property taxation on the first $150,000 of the assessed value of the person's primary residence. Unfortunately if the eligible resident dies, the remaining spouse is denied the benefit of the previous exemption unless the spouse is at least 60 years old.

Coping with the loss of a love one as well as the accompanying loss of financial security is difficult enough without the added burden of increase property taxes. Senate Bill 267 permits a widow or widower of a qualified applicant to remain eligible for the senior or disabled veteran property tax exemption regardless of age until the individual remarries. This legislation helps make a difficult situation a little bit easier.

As the residence in question is already exempted from taxation, Senate Bill 267 will have negligible impact on a municipality. However, this legislation will have a huge impact on the effected individual. Please join me in endorsing and supporting this legislation.

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