Veterans

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2689: An Act relative to veteran's benefits for surviving spouses

This bill would add an annual $1,500 payment to surviving spouses of veterans who meet specific criteria. To qualify, a surviving spouse must be unmarried, currently receiving Dependency Indemnity Compensation from the Veterans Administration, and have a spouse who served in active military service. The $1,500 would be paid in two installments on August 1 and February 1 each year, starting from when the spouse submits a completed application. It directly affects eligible surviving spouses by providing an additional financial benefit beyond their existing VA compensation.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAdds $1,500 annual payment to surviving spouses of veterans meeting VA criteria, directly expanding benefits for eligible veterans' families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1622: An Act relative to the Veterans’ Bonus Division

This bill updates Massachusetts' veterans' bonus program by defining specific conflict periods (like World War II, the Korean Emergency, and the Persian Gulf War) and revising eligibility rules. It removes a requirement that veterans must have lived in Massachusetts for six months before service, instead requiring the veteran to reside in the state. The bill also expands eligibility to include veterans currently serving and those discharged under less than honorable conditions due to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or HIV status. Additionally, it repeals outdated laws related to veterans' bonuses that were no longer in use.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veterans' bonus eligibility to include currently serving and those discharged under less than honorable conditions due to sexual orientation, removing residency barriers.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3213: An Act updating disabled veterans tax exemption totals

This bill (HD 3213) increases tax exemptions for disabled veterans in Massachusetts. It updates three tiers of real estate tax exemptions based on disability severity: - **$4,000** exemption (replacing a lower amount) for veterans with permanent loss of use of one foot, one hand, or one eye (or POW status/medal recipients), - **$8,000** exemption (replacing a lower amount) for veterans with loss of both feet/hands or combined loss (e.g., one foot + one hand), - All exemptions apply only to primary residences occupied by the veteran or their spouse. The bill ensures surviving spouses retain the exemption after the veteran’s death if they remain owners and occupants. It also eliminates annual re-verification once approved, unless new evidence shows the veteran initially failed eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief via increased exemptions for disabled veterans, a lower-income group, aligning with tax relief indicators for fiscal support.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases tax exemptions for disabled veterans, expanding financial benefits through higher tiered real estate tax relief based on disability severity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3212: An Act updating disabled veterans tax exemption totals

This bill updates Massachusetts property tax exemptions for disabled veterans. It increases exemption amounts based on disability severity: $1,500 annually (or $4,000 assessed value) for veterans with loss of one limb or sight (Section 22A), and $2,500 (or $8,000 assessed value) for those with loss of both limbs or both eyes (Section 22B). The exemptions apply to veterans who are Massachusetts residents, have honorable discharge, occupy the property as their primary residence, and meet specific disability criteria documented by the Veterans Administration. Surviving spouses retain the exemption after the veteran’s death if they remain owners and occupants of the property.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax exemptions for disabled veterans, providing direct tax relief aligned with supporting lower-income fiscal relief measures.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases property tax exemptions for disabled veterans, expanding financial benefits based on disability severity per Sections 22A/B.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3229: An Act relative to municipal senior property tax relief for 100% disabled veterans

This bill creates a property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans who are 65+ years old and occupy their home as their primary residence in Massachusetts. To qualify, veterans must have a VA-determined 100% service-connected disability, be legal Massachusetts residents, and meet specific residency requirements before entering service or filing for exemption. The exemption covers the full property tax on the portion of the home used as the veteran's primary residence, and surviving spouses aged 65+ who remain owners and occupants continue the exemption after the veteran's death. The state will reimburse municipalities for the lost tax revenue, ensuring local governments bear no cost for this relief.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for disabled veterans, reducing tax burden and aligning with tax relief policies for vulnerable groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans, directly expanding financial benefits and reducing housing costs for qualifying veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Tax Incentives Veteran Healthcare

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3688: An Act excluding student loan forgiveness from taxable income for permanently and totally disabled veterans

HD 3688 excludes student loan forgiveness from taxable income for veterans who are permanently and totally disabled. The bill amends Massachusetts tax law to specifically add these veterans to a list of individuals who do not owe state income tax on forgiven education loans. This directly affects disabled veterans receiving loan discharge under federal law (Section 108(f)(5)(A)(iii) of the Internal Revenue Code), preventing them from paying state taxes on that forgiven amount. The provision creates a clear tax exemption for this specific group without changing federal law or creating new programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes state tax on student loan forgiveness for disabled veterans, providing targeted tax relief under Massachusetts tax law.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExcludes student loan forgiveness from state taxes for disabled veterans, reducing financial burden and expanding tax benefits for this specific veteran group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Veteran Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3417: An Act relative to public employee benefits for military service members on active duty

This bill amends a state law to extend public employee benefits coverage to include military service members who die while on active duty, regardless of whether the death was combat-related or not. It adds a new provision (paragraph k) to the existing law, explicitly stating that the benefits apply to all active-duty deaths. The change directly affects public employees serving in the military who pass away during their service, ensuring their families receive benefits without distinction between combat and non-combat circumstances.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends public employee benefits to military families upon death, expanding coverage without distinction between combat/non-combat deaths, directly protecting workers' rights and benefits.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExtends public employee benefits to families of military members dying on active duty, covering all deaths regardless of combat status, thereby expanding veteran family support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3672: An Act excluding student loan forgiveness from taxable income for permanently and totally disabled veterans

This bill amends Massachusetts tax law to exclude student loan forgiveness from taxable income for veterans who are permanently and totally disabled. Specifically, it adds a provision ensuring that any forgiven student loan amount received by such veterans - under federal tax code provisions for discharged educational loans - is not counted as taxable income. The key mechanism is modifying the state's tax code to align with federal treatment, removing this forgiven debt from gross income calculations. This directly benefits disabled veterans who received student loan forgiveness, preventing them from owing state income tax on that amount.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes student loan forgiveness from taxable income for disabled veterans, providing targeted tax relief per federal treatment.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExcludes student loan forgiveness from state taxes for disabled veterans, reducing financial burden and aligning with federal benefits to strengthen veteran financial support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3644: An Act relative to eligibility of non-Massachusetts origin veterans for state veteran bonus awards

This bill updates Massachusetts veteran bonus eligibility for veterans who served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (1990-1991). It expands eligibility to veterans who moved to Massachusetts after their service by allowing either 6 months of residency before entering service or 10 years of residency after discharge. Qualifying veterans receive $500 for Persian Gulf service with the Southwest Asia Service Medal, or $300 for other qualifying National Guard/Reserve service during the same period. The changes apply specifically to veterans who served during those operations and meet the revised residency requirements.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands eligibility for state veteran bonuses to non-Massachusetts residents, providing $500/$300 cash benefits for qualifying service during Desert Shield/Storm operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3487: An Act relative to veteran judges' pensions

This bill increases pension benefits for retired judges who served in the U.S. military while holding judicial office. It applies to veterans who were called to active duty (at least 90 days) while serving as a judge, retired at 70 with 10+ years service or resigned at 65 with 15+ years, and currently receive a judicial pension. Eligible judges will receive a pension equal to three-fourths of the current annual salary for a judge in the same position at the time of their retirement, calculated when they apply. The state retirement board must notify affected judges by certified mail within 30 days of the bill's effective date, with a 30-day window to apply for the increase.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill increases pension benefits for veteran judges meeting specific military service criteria, directly expanding financial support for this veteran subgroup.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

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