House OK’s veterans’ bill, Senate action expected

The House on May 11 unanimously approved a wide-ranging bill with benefits for veterans, including provisions on housing, education, employment and local tax exemptions.
 
The bill, H. 4285, would establish a special housing office within the Department of Veterans’ Services that would oversee the Chelsea and Holyoke soldiers’ homes and would make recommendations to the Veterans’ Services secretary on all issues related to the housing of veterans.
 
The bill would require that local housing authorities exclude disability income above $1,800 for certain veterans when determining eligibility for housing. (This is currently a local option that has been approved by most housing authorities.) The bill would modify the veterans’ preference provision in certain state and local housing programs.
 
Among the municipal tax provisions, the bill would expand the full property tax exemption provided to the surviving spouse of any service member declared missing in action or who died while on active duty. Such Clause 22D exemptions are fully reimbursed by the state, subject to appropriation.
 
The bill would also extend the full tax exemption provided to paraplegic veterans and their surviving spouses (Clause 22F) to include veterans with service-connected blindness and their surviving spouses.
 
The bill would mandate a motor vehicle excise exemption for service members in active and full-time military service and deployed out of state for at least 45 days. This benefit is currently a local option.
 
The bill would also exempt recipients of the Silver Star Medal from the civil service exam and allow direct appointment. This rule already applies to recipients of the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross or Navy Cross.
 
The bill would allow cities and towns to appoint a veterans’ agent for a term of up to three years.
 
The bill was expected to be taken up by the Senate before Memorial Day.