Tri-City lawmaker pens bills to expand tax breaks for disabled vets, access to fed funds
A Tri-Cities lawmaker has prefiled two bills in the Washington Legislature to expand property tax relief for disabled vets and help communities secure more federal funds.
The bills come as legislators prepare to convene the 2025 legislative session on Monday, Jan. 13, in Olympia. The session will run 105 days.
“My commitment is to stand with our veterans and ensure they have the resources necessary to succeed,” Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, said of House Bill 1106. “This bill can help deliver the meaningful support deserved by those who have given so much for our nation’s freedom and security.”
If passed, the law would gradually decrease the threshold disabled veterans need to meet to be eligible for property tax exemptions over three years.
Beginning in 2026, veterans with a combined service-connected evaluation rating of 60% or higher would become eligible. In 2027, that bar would be lowered to 40%, then to 20% in 2028.
The rating is a calculation used by the VA to determine disability compensation and other benefits based on the service’s impact on the body.
Currently, vets must have a combined service-connected evaluation rating of 80% or higher to qualify for the senior tax exemption.
The bill aims to extend financial assistance to a broader group of service members over time. By extending property tax relief, Barnard says, veterans receive duly recognition and assistance for their service.
“This bill is a testament to our commitment to honor and support the brave men and women who have served out state and nation,” she said in a statement. “This approach allows us to increase benefits without overwhelming local government budgets. It ensures sustainable support for our veterans now and in the future.”
The bill does not impact all property-owning vets who meet the service-connected thresholds. They will still have to meet the financial requirements of 70% of the county median household income, which remains challenging to achieve. This bill does not impact those financial limits.
Expanding access to federal money
Barnard also prefiled a bill called the MATCHED Act — or “Moving Assets to Create Healthy Economic Development” Act — which would allow the state to provide matching dollars for communities seeking federal grants and funding.
In 2023, the federal government provided states and local governments more than $1 trillion in grants for projects related to healthcare, transportation, education, job training, social services, community development and environmental protections.
As Washington faces a budget shortfall this session, Barnard says it will be important for local governments to take full advantage of federal funding opportunities to grow the economy.
“Washington is leaving significant federal dollars on the table,” she said. “By prioritizing support for distressed areas, we can secure funding for critical projects like broadband expansion, housing, infrastructure and workforce training. These investments will directly benefit our communities.”
House Bill 1057 would also direct the state Department of Commerce to establish a grant program by July 1 to help local governments, economic development organizations and rural counties hire grant writers, furthering the mission to get more federal funds back to Washington communities.
Under the MATCHED Act, Commerce would also maintain a database of federal grant opportunities.
“This is about smart, strategic investments,” she said.
