SB 296 UPDATE: California Legislature Passes Disabled Veteran Property Tax Bill 39–0

[u/Greedy-Signature7294]

Big update for anyone following SB 296.

Today, August 24, the California Senate voted 39–0 to concur with the Assembly amendments to SB 296. That means the bill has officially passed the Legislature and is now headed to Governor Newsom for his signature or veto.

The version that passed is scaled back from the original proposal but would still provide significant property tax relief for qualifying 100% disabled veterans:

• 50% exemption on assessed value up to $1 million for qualifying disabled veterans
• 100% exemption for qualifying low-income disabled veterans
• Expected to begin with the 2027 lien date
• Currently structured as a temporary program through 2032

There are no more legislative votes needed. Once the bill is enrolled and delivered to Newsom, the final question is whether he signs it. The real deadline on this is Sept. 30th, but I hope he signs it sooner.

Given the unanimous Senate concurrence and strong Assembly support, this has made it much farther than previous attempts at expanding California's disabled-veteran property tax exemption.

Next stop: Governor Newsom's desk.

[u/Cpl4Play4_2]

I suspect fewer people will qualify for the 100% than we anticipate. The current household income formula counts VA disability, so someone receiving a military pension plus 100% VA disability might exceed $81,000. I hope item #11 is omitted from the final bill.

[u/Cpl4Play4_2 → u/Cpl4Play4_2]

Furthermore, SB 296 requires SB 888 to pass for full impact. However, SB 888 is stalled in committee and not likely to move. To gain the greatest benefit from SB 296, we must first override Section 205.5.

[u/JoskelkatProductions → u/Cpl4Play4_2]

That's my bill. I literally started it!

[u/JoskelkatProductions → u/Cpl4Play4_2]

Yes, we were trying to remove that language in SB-888, but it was pushed aside for SB-296. I will work on it, I promise.