California Senate Bill No. 23, introduced by Senators Valladares and Grove, proposes significant changes to property tax laws, aiming to provide substantial tax relief to 100% disabled veterans and their families. This bill, part of the 2025-2026 legislative session, focuses on supporting veterans by offering a specific property tax exemption under outlined conditions.

Key Provisions

1. Eligibility:

- The bill targets veterans who are 100% disabled, blind in both eyes, or who have lost the use of two or more limbs due to military service. Unmarried surviving spouses of such veterans may also qualify for this exemption.

2. Duration:

- Applicable to property tax lien dates from January 1, 2025, through January 1, 2035.

3. Conditions:

- Veterans or their unmarried surviving spouses must present appropriate documentation to the county assessor to claim the exemption, which overrides other property tax exemptions for the house in question.

4. Legislative Intent:

- The bill aims to reduce homelessness among disabled veterans by lessening their financial burdens. The State Board of Equalization will be responsible for tracking and annually reporting on the number of beneficiaries and the exemption's monetary impact through 2034.

5. State Reimbursement:

- The legislation specifies no state reimbursement for local agencies due to any revenue losses resulting from its implementation.

6. Immediate Enforcement:

- Classified as a tax levy, the bill takes immediate effect upon passing.

Voting Recap:

- Date: March 12, 2025

- Result: Passed

- Committee Location: Senate Revenue and Taxation

- Ayes Count: 5

- Noes Count: 0

- Not Voting/Absent: 0

- Motion: To pass, with a re-referral to the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs

- Ayes: Senators Ashby, Grayson, McNerney, Umberg, Valladares

The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee unanimously supported the motion, marking a significant step towards legislative approval and emphasizing the state’s commitment to supporting disabled veterans.

Reference: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billVotesClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB23

Revised and Written by: AV Mercado, Vetted Vetted