Bill Provides Optional Municipal Property Tax Exemption
Sen. Therriault’s SB 204 passes Senate Community & Regional Affairs Committee

Juneau — A bill providing municipalities the option of granting a partial or whole property tax exemption to widows or widowers of members of the United States’ Armed Forces killed during combat operations moved from the Senate Community & Regional Affairs Committee on Tuesday.

“The bill advanced by the C&RA committee will give municipalities the discretion to provide some financial relief to families of fallen soldiers as well as offer a token of appreciation from the citizens of Alaska,” said bill sponsor Sen. Gene Therriault, R-North Pole.

Senate Bill 204 honors the sacrifices made by members of the armed services and their families while protecting the Untied States from foreign aggression and also gives deference to the economic and demographic diversity of Alaskan communities by allowing municipalities the discretion to shape and opt-in to the property tax exemption.

To qualify for the exemption, SB 204 requires the widow or widower to be a permanent Alaska resident and for the deceased to have been eligible for hostile fire or imminent danger pay, and to have died within 90 days of sustaining combat related injuries.

SB 204 now awaits a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee.