TNVET Legislative Actions/Events Are Listed From Newest to Oldest

Aug 15, 2024  – Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption Update

Today representatives of TNVET met with a member of the Governor’s Policy Office to discuss the needs and changes to how the Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption program works.  It was an excellent meeting and the Policy Office will contact the State Comptroller office for more operational information on the program. Below is the POINT PAPER that TNVET prepared for the meeting and is now provided for your information.  As you can read with updates provide previously, the effort to get a summer study that legislators said was needed on this issue has seen NO action as of this date.
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Subject: Concerns/issues with the state’s current Tax Relief Program for Qualified Disabled Veterans and Widow(er)s of Disabled Veteran Homeowners – Submitted by Tennessee Veterans (TNVET) (https://tnvet.org/)

Background: Since the 1970s Tennessee has recognized the sacrifice of qualified disabled veterans or widow(er)s by authorizing a reimbursement of some local property taxes. The program is NOT “needs-based”, but honorific to recognize the sacrifice given through military service. TCA 67-5-704(a) specifies, “Such reimbursement shall be paid on the first one hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($175,000) of the full market value of such property.” Furthermore, that reimbursement shall be adjusted in the following manner “In determining the amount of relief to a taxpayer, the effective assessed value on the first one hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($175,000) of full market value shall be multiplied by a tax rate that has been adjusted to reflect the relationship between appraised value and market value in that jurisdiction, as determined by the state board of equalization.”

Issues: Two concerns currently exist with the program. First, the method used to fund the program. Secondly, the methodology of using market value to reduce the reimbursement received by the qualified veteran or widow(er).

Funding: Information received from legislators and the Office of the Comptroller during the 2024 legislative session shows the program may be inadequately funded to meet 2025 requirements and/or beyond. Per information TNVET has received, past funding of the program was a lump sum of money set aside to use for several budget years, to be replenished as needed. Given the program has been growing approximately 12% annually and with large market property fluctuations by county, the program appears difficult to manage/fund with current procedures.

            Methodology: Per TCA, the reimbursement amount is adjusted based on the market value of the land, not the local accessed value. As property market value goes up most years, the local assessed value stays constant until a reassessment takes place, usually every 4-5 years. By the process used by the state, as market value goes up each year, the qualified veteran or widow(er) gets less reimbursement each year until the county conducts a reassessment. Only for the year of the county reassessment is market value considered equal and the veteran or widow get the full value of the $175,000 reimbursement.

Actions/Resolutions:

            Funding: TNVET discussions with county trustees, legislators, and Comptroller presentations to these groups has highlighted a solution to better fund and manage the program known as “sum sufficient” funding, which we understand to mean an annual budget allocation based on the latest annual growth projections/needs.

            Methodology: Current methodology is unfair for a several reasons. First, market value and county reassessments are outside the control of affected veterans. Recent market value spikes and multi-year gaps in local reassessments have reduced reimbursements by over two-thirds in some counties. Second, market value is used to equalize property values across counties. The inference is veterans are not paying a fair tax share if the property has gone up in value, but the tax bill is still based on the old assessed rate, thus the state shrinks the amount of reimbursement given. However, the state also requires every county that does a reassessment to accept a state certified tax rate.  This stops a county from automatically reaping higher property tax collections based on the old property tax rate. With the certified tax rate (which is revenue neutral for the county), the veteran should be paying approximately the same yearly property tax amount on property that is considered of higher value. Third, counties that have experienced high market value growth are NOT adjusting/increasing their initial certified tax rate to the levels of the market increases. Thus, from a county revenue/tax perspective a lower certified tax rate offsets market value increases, but the veteran is penalized as if the county is losing money. The solution is to discontinue the use of market value to adjust reimbursements

 Recommendations:  Respectfully request Gov. Lee’s support of using “sum sufficient” funding and changing TCA 67-5-704(a) to have the reimbursement calculation no longer use “Market Value”, but local assessed value as cited in 2024 legislative bills HB2217/SB2111 (https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/113/Bill/HB2217.pdf).  The fiscal note for the change was +$2.4 million/yr.

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July 2, 2024 – Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption (Ref. comments dated March 28, 2024 below)

In the March report, we told veterans that legislators said the property tax exemption fund had run out of money for 2025 and beyond.  That point and our efforts to changed the calculation to be based on appraisal value instead of market value were to be reviewed in a legislative work session that could be held after 60 days of the 2024 legislative session closure.  That time has arrvied and TNVET has notified (via email) the legislative members of the House Local Government Committee (this is the committee that makes the initial decisions on this legislation) that we are interested to get this study session scheduled.

The email we sent was dated June 21, 2024.  As of Jul 2nd we have not heard back form any legislator. Our email is provided for your review:

Greetings Rep. Carr and Rep. Crawford,

Tennessee Veterans is contacting you in reference to recent legislative conversations on scheduling a House Committee summer study/work session to address a projected 2025 funding shortfall for a long supported disabled veteran program.

On March 20 , 2024 a representative of the TNVET ( https://tnvet.org/ ), Bill Summers, was to speak before the House Property & Planning Subcommittee in support of HB 2217 (sponsored by Rep. Crawford – https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/113/Bill/HB2217.pdf ). The Senate bill is listed as SB 2111, sponsored by Sen. Lundberg. 

HB 2217 would change the method used to calculate the actual dollar amount a qualified disabled veteran would get for the $175,000 property tax exemption allowed under TCA 67-5-704 (2).  Basically, the current law language allows the state to reduce the property tax reimbursement if market value goes up between county property reassessments. The change requested would eliminate the “market value” calculations and instead use the county assessed property value.

Minutes before the House Property & Planning Subcommittee was to start its session, Rep Carr approached Mr. Summers about HB 2217 and an issue that legislative members had recently learned about. That issue is the state does NOT have the funding to pay for the disabled veteran property tax exemption in 2025, either in the current state code language or with any changes requested in HB 2217, or a couple of other bills that also addressed changing the exemption funding process.  Rep Carr stated that a summer study would be required to address the issue. Mr. Summers was told by Representatives Carr and Crawford that this could take place 60 days after the legislative session ended. That 60-day deadline is approaching.

In preparing for HB 2217, TNVET worked with County Tax assessors and Trustees, in particular Montgomery County – home to Ft Campbell and a large veteran population – to gather data and impacts.  On June 12, 2024 the Montgomery County Trustee and several Trustees from other counties met with the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Mr. Mumpower. One of the main scheduled topics to discuss with Sec. Mumpower was the disabled veteran property tax exemption. Prior to the meeting, TNVET had coordinated questions and areas of concern which the Trustees would raise with the Secretary…which they did.

Sec. Mumpower affirmed the following to the Trustees, 1) the tax exemption program is short of funding (by millions) to make the anticipated 2025 payments; 2) the program was growing by about 12% per year; 3) this issue also affects the property tax exemption program set up for the low-income and seniors; 4) the current method of funding needs to change to a “sum sufficient” method, which we understand to mean an annual budget allocation versus a lump sum funding every few years; 5) he is not been made aware of an effort/work session to address the funding shortfall or changes to the system by legislators, 6) the governor has recently been made aware of the issue; and 7) he (Sec Mumpower) requests to be invited and work with legislators and interested veteran parties to help; 8) a deadline is approaching as the Governor will be finalizing his budget submission for the 2025 legislative session by August 2024.

It is our understanding that Rep Carr, and/or others on the committee, will need to confer with the Speaker of the House to authorize the work session, whose length could be a couple of days. TNVET was told it could attend this work session and we request to do so. It is paramount that funding be found, and that the funding method mentioned by the Secretary be explored/approved.  TNVET is also very supportive of HB2217, which would by Comptroller calculations, add approximately $2.4 million in 2025 and future years. We believe the changes required in HB 2217 make it fair and equitable for qualified disabled veterans across the state and removes exemption calculations that are out of the control of these veterans or the counties they live in.

We are also aware that other pieces of legislation being studied and recommended by some legislators would either increase the property tax exemption amount (Reference HB 1941) for qualified disabled veterans or completely eliminate property taxes for this veteran group.  While TNVET did not submit these pieces of legislation, it was contacted early in the last session to provide its viewpoints/thoughts on the total elimination of property taxes for these qualified disabled vets.  As we stated then, and do so again, we DO NOT support the total elimination of property taxes on these vets. We were told the price tag could add over $24 million/yr. versus the $2.4 million in our bill.  We are aware that HB1941, which would increase the exemption to $300,000, would cost an additional $13+ million/yr. in the near term. Again, TNVET would support some annual/scheduled increase in the property tax exemption, but we do understand the financial realities the state faces. Again, our proposal (HB 2217) costs the least and helps balance the impact on disabled veterans across the state. The other point on exemption increases or eliminations is they affect a small percentage of veterans across the state. If the state has the financial resources, we believe there are other veteran populations and programs that could use/need funding to enable the Governor realize his goal in making Tennessee a greater attraction for veterans to retire or move to.

We apologize for the length of this email, but there are several issues that are intertwined with the funding of the disabled veteran property tax exemption.  We know if they are not addressed and included in the Governor’s proposed budget, the chances any changes made during the upcoming legislative would get funded approach zero.

We request that the referenced work session be approved and scheduled and that Sec. Mumpower and TNVET be invited to attend.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Howard French

TNVET State Chairman

Here is the website address of the House Local Government Committee: https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/CommitteeInfo/HouseComm.aspx?ga=113&committeekey=890000

Please check it out and if your House Representative is listed, contacted him/her about the summer session and the need to fix/fund the exemption for our qualified disable veterans.

 
 

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May 15, 2024 – Electronic Voting For Tennessee Active Duty and Civilians Stationed Overseas

A TNVET initiative, started in 2021, to install a pilot program (using Montgomery County – Home of Ft Campbell) to test an electronic voting process/system for deployed Tennessee-registered active duty (includes National Guard and Reserves) service members and families, veterans and families along with state civilians that may be stationed outside the continental U.S. has FAILED. 

Although the Department of Defense has cited numerous studies and data that there is a problem with getting overseas (and those in the states) Active Duty and associated members involved in a timely voting engagement and ballot submissions, and that 31 states have developed one or more electronic means of submitting secured votes, the State of Tennessee says there isn’t a problem and will NOT spend further time to explore or address the issue, per communications provided by the electronic voting bill sponsor, Sen. Powers.

Sen. Powers and TNVET were led to believe, after a number of inquiries made just before and during the recent legislative session with state representatives, that the state was actively working for a process. Only after the current legislative session was about to close and more inquiries were made as to progress on the plan did the state bother to inform us that it would not take any action.

You can read the past actions taken and meetings conducted to provide this voting option to service members and families, veterans and families along with state civilians that may be stationed outside the continental U.S. at https://tnvet.org/legislative-success/2024-legislation/. 

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April 26, 2024 – Restoration of 2nd Free License Plate for qualified 100% Disabled Veterans

For an 8th year the effort to restore the 2nd free plate that was removed in 2014 as a proposed budget offset to pay for valor plates (which the state appears to have saved money on the exchange/swap) has FAILED.  The bills to restore the plates were HB2827/SB2394 submitted Rep Camper and Sen. Briggs. TNVET thanks them for their efforts. The issue every year has been getting the funding to restore the plates. It passes every committee with flying colors, until it hits the Budget Committees. TNVET did try a different approach this time.

Last spring TNVET contacted the leadership of the TN Legislative Veteran Caucus to request they approach the Governor to include the funding of the second plate within his submitted annual budget to the legislature. If the Governor funded the request upfront, it would resolve the funding issue once and for all. The Veteran Legislative Caucus leadership declined to help us. No particular reason given was given for declining our request and we were told we should be able to find someone to do it for us.

As the current session started, TNVET approached Rep. Camper (retired Army W-4) to see if she would carry our bill and battle the funding problem. She has been very supportive of our veteran issues in the past and jumped in with both feet to help us again. She was made aware of the funding issue and our effort to get the Veteran Caucus Leadership to the Governor directly. As she is a member of the Legislative Veteran Caucus, she was surprised by the negative response we got. She approached the funding problem from two directions. First, she tried to see the Governor and submit the request. Per the information TNVET received, the governor did not respond to seeing her or her written submission for direct funding from his office. Second, there is always a small amount of money provided to the House to fund their own initiatives. When the call went out for each party to list their top priorities, the second plate was submitted on our behalf.

TNVET made several efforts to meet with the House Representative Leader that would head this budget review to apportion this money. We were not able to ever talk with her or an actual person in her office. Messages left by phone were not returned. During the legislative year, efforts to drop veteran information off on other topics to this Representative’s office were unsuccessful as no one was ever in, and the door locked. Granted, TNVET only visited the legislature once a week or so and on various days, so it is possible just bad timing on our part.

Unless there is a change of heart by the Legislative Veterans Caucus to approach the Governor directly for inclusion in his budget, it is doubtful TNVET will revisit this issue, unless veterans wish to make this a priority and take up this issue with their legislative officials.

The lack of funding for the 2nd plate, the financial trouble that has suddenly appeared on the property tax exemption for qualified 100% disabled veterans that TNVET has exposed, and the inability to get legislative committees to pass veteran medical cannabis programs so they could actually be voted on at the House and Senate floors is troubling for a state that wants more veterans to reside in it.

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April 7, 2024 – Medical Cannabis Legislation/Report

Another year’s effort to pass medical cannabis in the legislature died in the House Health Subcommittee on March 26th, in a voice vote. In the weeks leading up to the vote, TNVET directly visited the offices of more than 54 legislators of both political parties.  This does not include the visits made by veterans on the annual “Veterans Day On The Hill” about the topic. TNVET also spoke to several dozen legislators face-to-face on the issue. We gathered any concerns and questions presented and did additional research to resolve or calm any issues.

At the subcommittee meeting on March 26th TNVET representative, Bill Summers, spoke and answered questions before the subcommittee members to push the veteran viewpoint and offer solutions and factual information to legislator concerns. In House committees, there is no required individually documented vote taken, it is done by voice.  Members can officially register their voice vote with the committee secretary, if they desire.  TNVET requested the registered vote information, if any was taken.  There were two yes votes and one voting present, per the record. Listening to the voice vote it seems there was another yes vote or two, however, there were no additional “officially” listed votes to confirm that. 

The bottom-line is if Tennessee veterans want access to medical cannabis therapies, you will have to make it a major legislative issue.  TNVET is the only unified veteran organization that has fought for full in-state veteran access to medical cannabis treatments.  At the national/federal level, in a February 16, 2024 letter to the DOJ, veteran organizations addressed Congress to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III to reflect the  “growing acknowledgement of the accepted medical use and potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis products. As organizations dedicated to advocating for the well-being of our veterans, we believe the recommendation of Schedule III will open greater access to the alternative medicines that our nation’s heroes demand and deserve.” Some of the national veteran organizations that signed that letter were Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, AMVETS, American Legion, Blinded Veterans Association, Minority Veterans of America and American G.I. Forum.  In similar national legislative efforts additional veteran organizations have also addressed Congress to include Disabled American Veteran (DAV), Paralyzed Veterans of America, The Wounded Warrior Project and VFW.

Read the following for more details on issues TNVET collected from state legislators regarding why some would not support medical cannabis and our responses to those issues. We have also provided our take on the topic after working this for four years. If you need background on the Tennessee medical cannabis issue/effort, go to this section of the TNVET website and scroll to read more: https://tnvet.org/legislative-success/2024-legislation/

The 54+ legislators (mentioned above) that TNVET visited at their offices or talked directly with were selected based on published comments by them in the media over the past 10 years, where either outright support for medical cannabis was mentioned or they recognized the medical benefits, but were concerned with various factors. There is support in the House and some in the Senate for Medical Cannabis. That support extends to both political parties.  While TNVET is 100% nonpartisan, we talked with members of both political parties and the differences in acceptance of medical cannabis was interesting. The Democrats are pretty much 100% in favor and the Republicans could be close to 50-50 (based on our talks/feedback with them).  The House, in general, seems more supportive than the Senate. As neither the Speaker of the House or the Lt. Governor (Senate) are in favor of medical cannabis (especially the Lt. Gov.) and they appoint the committee members that will review any cannabis bill, it appears, by their committee selections there is little chance that any full medical cannabis program will get through the required committees and on to the chambers for a floor vote….where it might actually pass and recorded votes are required (based on our feedback/talks).

Here are the legislator issues/concerns that affect medical cannabis support.  We must state that all discussions we had with all legislators on medical cannabis were very cordial and they listened attentively to what we had to say. We greatly appreciated the time they made to meet with us.

1. Legislator Comment – Cannabis is a schedule 1 drug, thus illegal as stated by the federal government.  TNVET Response – That is a correct statement…Schedule 1 is a federal classification meaning the drug has no accepted medical use and safety under medical supervision in the United States, with a high potential for abuse and/or addiction. However, TNVET responded that has not stopped the Tennessee legislature from passing several laws that VIOLATE federal Schedule 1 law;  A) Tennessee law lists a number of medical conditions that medical cannabis is helpful for….that is counter to federal determinations;  B) Tennessee law says an individual, with doctor’s advice/permission, can obtain medical cannabis with a THC concentration of up to .9% ….. that violates federal law, by allowing three times the federal limit for THC (.3% is allowed in hemp farming); C) Tennessee allows an individual to go out-of-state to buy the .9% THC concentrations and bring it home without fear of arrest (with supporting paperwork)….this is federal interstate trafficking of an outlawed drug, thus illegal. 

When presented these facts, as listed in Tennessee law, we ask how could the state violate federal law any more than it already has by adding a “seed to sale” medical cannabis operation and prescription capability, like other states have done?  Most of the time, we would get no answer or response from those legislators or they would add we don’t want to be another Colorado.  More on Colorado in a moment.

2. Legislator Comment – When I hear medical cannabis, I’m seeing/thinking recreational sale and use. They are one in the same to me.  TNVET Response –  We saw this as an interesting take on the issue and responded with the following.  First, the state legislature has to approve medical cannabis as an action and would have to approve recreational as another action.  The state legislature is in total control, so one action does not automatically create the other. The legislator accepted what we said, but would not relent that one leads to the other, even though we said there were many states that have medical cannabis for years and still have no recreational sales.

3. Legislator Comment – There are other accepted drugs to handle any medical condition, thus medical cannabis is not needed or effective. TNVET Response –  Tennessee law states medical cannabis has accepted medical uses. Also, recently HHS and FDA have officially stated that medical cannabis has documented beneficial medical use. The legislator’s opinion would not be changed, in spite of us presenting the data/facts.

4. Legislator Comment –  I just don’t support cannabis in any form and we don’t want to be another Colorado.  TNVET Response – Not much we can say or do about a changing personal opinion /belief after showing and discussing with them medical data, Tennessee state laws, examples of states where it works well, and changes at the federal level and Congress.

5. Legislator Comment – I won’t support medical cannabis until the federal government and medical community support it. TNVET Response – HHS and FDA have come out in support and the country awaits the DEA review, which appears to be the final step for full federal approval.  Also, in the congressionally approved 2024 HR4366 Consolidated Appropriations Act (as amended), the VA can now talk with veteran patients about possible medical cannabis drugs/treatment if that state has a fully approved/lawful medical cannabis program. Tennessee’s federal senators and all but two of the congressmen voted for the bill. The VA can’t offer cannabis treatments/options within its operations….for the time being. Also, Tennessee law already ignores the federal government on several issues with medical cannabis, which are illegal in federal eyes. In the 38 states where medical cannabis is legal (by state law) the medical community works with medical cannabis needs/issues.

6. Legislator Comment – Don’t want to be Colorado so I won’t support it. TNVET Response – The Colorado legislature created its own issues, particularly with approval of recreational cannabis sales. So, the easy answer is don’t follow Colorado’s example.  Follow Pennsylvania who has had a medical cannabis program approved since 2016 and in operation since 2018, BUT currently has not approved recreational cannabis (although in the 2024 the PA legislature is considering this action).  PA Medical cannabis stores have to have the oversight of a doctor or pharmacist to ensure proper medical cannabis procedures and reviews are accomplished per law.  Illinois is another state that has had a medical cannabis program since 2013 that is considered well operated.  TNVET has spoken with a few vets that use Illinois for their medical cannabis treatments and they spoke well of it.

While many legislators are supportive of medical cannabis, at least in our face-to-face discussions, most will not step up to co-sponsor and show public support for such legislation. Public surveys show overwhelming support for it. This seemed more dependent on party affiliation and “concern” over supposed party repercussions. As TNVET appreciates the openness it has established with many legislators across the board, we will not attribute legislator names to the comments or concerns expressed to us.

However, as veterans and voters, you have the full right to ask your legislative representative about their support (or lack of) on the medical cannabis issue. We are also aware form input, there are veterans that do not support medical or any cannabis issue and others that want it all.  However, it is important to have the legislator or with the coming elections, the candidate, state their position for clarity. Given this is TNVET’s fourth year to work the medical cannabis issue on behalf of the state’s veterans, we see no foreseeable change in future state medical cannabis issues unless you (the vet and voter) make it an issue and/or the federal government leaves Tennessee no choice in accepting it.  The issue(s) in waiting for the federal government to do something are it takes too long and when it does happen (as it appears it will) Tennessee will be miles behind in the “seed to sale” operations that surrounding states are already operating or in the process of operating.  So, there are financial considerations involved too.

As a veteran, you need to be involved through your input and vote.

 

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March 28, 2024

HARD FACT: TNVET has been told by legislators that disabled vets that qualified for the property tax exemption program for years/decades will lose it after 2025 if the state does not take new budget action! Read the following report for details.

TNVET reps have been busy visiting with legislators and preparing to speak before affected committees on the bills chosen by TNVET/veteran organizations.  This report will catch you up on HB2217/SB2111 Tax Equalization- Property Tax relief for 100% P&T Disabled Veterans. You can refresh your memory on the property tax exemption issue at: https://tnvet.org/legislative-success/2024-legislation/

While the bill had been gaining legislative co-sponsors and making it through committees with ease, the ultimate issue was going to be funding the change.  The state determined the cost of the funding formula change would be additional $2,366,500/year. What compounded the property tax exemption issue/problem was two other bills entered by legislators, who had not initially conferred with TNVET (one being a member of the Veteran Caucus) on the topic, in an effort to have the state pay all property tax for these qualified disabled vets.  While TNVET had explored the idea some years ago, our price tag analysis determined it was too high and would never pass the legislature.  Efforts to raise the current exemption from $175,000 to a new  $200K, $250K, and even $300+K in recent years by legislators had price tags so high that legislators quickly dropped the effort or these bills were soundly defeated.

The price tag for 100% exemption options would add a cost of $22,908,500/year according to state financial analysts. The House Property & Planning Subcommittee was to meet on March 3, 2024 at 10:30am to discuss these bills.  TNVET rep Bill Summers had registered with the House subcommittee to speak on behalf of HB2217.  Upon arriving for the subcommittee meeting, Summers was told by Subcommittee Chairman Dale Carr that the subcommittee would not address this bill or the other two bills on veteran tax exemptions due to funding issues. The decision made by members of the committee, minutes before the meeting was to start, was to send it to a “summer study session”. Chairman Carr stated that the funding issue had to be addressed.  For those not familiar of the term “summer study session”, 95% of the time that means the bill is shuffled off the legislative schedule to be forgotten and die quietly. Another similar term is for a bill to be place “behind the budget”, which means despite passing every committee it went before, the bill will quietly die due to no funding.

In truth, HB2217 appeared to be heading to a “behind the budget” death as no money was being found to fund it, or any other versions.  The sponsor of our bill, Rep Crawford, went along with the “summer study session” option for one major SURPRISING reason……. the tax exemption program for these disabled veterans only has funding to last ONE MORE YEAR! Then the program, that has been around for decades, is broke and gone unless the legislature and Governor do something to fix the funding. We and legislators learned that the tax exemption program is NOT an annual allocated budget item……but evidently receives some periodic large money infusion that is supposed to last for years, then has to be reinfused when it runs out or it is left to end.

That was shocking news for TNVET, and evidently for the legislators too, when told this by the state comptroller. On March 27, TNVET rep Bill Summers contacted Rep. Crawford to verify what was being said about funding and to discuss the reality of a “summer study session” for HB2217. Subcommittee Chairman Carr has to contact the Speaker of the House to hold such a “summer study session” as it does cost money to do. Rep Crawford felt that the “summer study session” should/would happen due to the nature of the funding problem and promises made. TNVET is supposed to be alerted to participate in the summer study session. We will keep in touch with involved legislators to remind them so this does not just die and go away.

This is an election year and past tax-exempt program cuts are the reason TNVET came into existence. We have won every battle and this is another battle we will fight to win.  However, every vet, not just those that receive the exemption, needs to talk with your House and Senate members about this problem.  Members that sit on the House Subcommittee for Property and Planning are Representatives Carr (Chairman), Crawford, Martin, Raper, Reedy, Rudd, D. Thompson and Wright.  They must hold the “summer session” to help chart a course to fix this funding problem. Ask them to commit and find the solution.

If veterans, especially those affected by the tax-exemption program, do not contact your elected state legislators to fix this issue, you will lose this valuable financial program for qualified veterans.

Veterans also need to know that legislators have their hair on fire.  It has finally made the news; on a topic we have been hearing about for months…..and that is the state appears to be in a legally weak position to defend a business tax that it has collected for a long time. It appears that the state could be on the hook for giving back almost TWO BILLION DOLLARS…and that is for just the recent three-year period. TNVET is told three years back is the limit, by law, that can be recovered by these businesses for this tax.  The future years’ impact of this tax loss/decision amounts to about $400 million per year.  So financial doom was a constant murmur we have heard. Here are a couple of recent news items that have been published on the issue:

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2024/03/21/tennessee-franchise-tax-change-senators-disclose-conflicts-lee-administration-keeps-records-secret/73053622007/

https://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/contributors/2024/03/25/tennessee-senate-oks-1-9b-tax-fix-but-keep-taxpayers-in-the-dark/73092310007/

We tell you this to remind you that the property tax exemption for disabled vets was cut in 2015 and had income limits placed upon it due to a supposed hard financial time for the state and that exemption cut was a late action that vets didn’t find out about until AFTER it happened.  TNVET IS STATING YOU NEED TO BE TALKING TO YOUR ELECTED STATE LEGISLATORS TO PROTECT THESE DISABLED VETS! FUND AND APPROVE HB2217/SB2111 NEXT YEAR!

Not sure who or how to contact your state elected official, then go to: https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/Apps/fml2022/search.aspx and follow the instructions.

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February  21, 2024

On this date, representatives of TNVET met with Rep. Harris and representatives of the Tennessee Growers Coalition (TGC – https://tngrowerscoalition.com/ ) on the medical cannabis bill, HB2502(Harris)/SB2104(Lamar). This was a continuation of talks and plans on the approach to gain passage of the bill. The bill has been put on the schedule for the House Health Sub-Committee. 

In preparation for the House Health and Senate Judiciary committees review of this bill, TNVET has been scheduling face-to-face meetings with legislative members of each.  TNVET has already personally delivered an information/point paper on the topic to over 50 House and Senate members with a 60-40 mix of Republicans and Democrats. We have personally talked with about a dozen of those members on the bill/topic.

TNVET is setting up more face-to-face meetings for Feb 28 with legislators. In our meetings and discussions, the range of support goes from “will never support cannabis in any form” to “could support medical cannabis” to “will support medical cannabis”.  The “will never” legislators are a small number, at least in the discussions and office stops we have made thus far. It appears the “could support” and “will support” are equally divided among the remainder. Again, this is among those people and offices we have visited.

At this time, TNVET is planning to speak before the House Health Sub-Committee sometime during the first week of March asking for their support. Members of the House Health Sub-Committee are Representatives Hawk, Hicks, Jernigan. Leatherwood, Martin, Mitchell, Sherrell, Terry, and Williams. Veterans who have one of these members as their representative, should contact them asking for their support of this bill. You may contact them using the following website link: https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/CommitteeInfo/HouseSubComm.aspx?ga=113&committeeKey=860010

HB2827(Camper)/SB2394(Briggs) – Restoration of 2nd free license plate to qualified disabled veterans. TNVET was requested to speak before the House Transportation Sub-Committee. Steve Singleton (TNVET) presented information on how the plate was lost in 2014, the impact of that legislative decision, and efforts to regain approval/funding since that time. The presentation went very well with the committee approving the bill unanimously for review by the full Transportation Committee.

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February 14, 2024

Representatives of TNVET met with Rep. Harris on the medical cannabis bill, HB2502(Harris)/SB2104(Lamar).  This was a continuation on the approach to gain passage of the bill as discussed with Sen. Lamar.  It was noted that there IS SUPPORT in both legislative bodies and across political parties. The major obstacle to getting the bill before the full legislature is the Sen. Judiciary Committee. It takes 17 Senators and 50 House members to pass a bill.  Informal talks with many legislators in both bodies indicates we may be within reach of such numbers and may actually have a plurality in body.

For veteran information the Senate Judiciary Committee members are Senators Gardenhire, White, Rose, Kyle. Lamar. Lundberg, Roberts, Stevens, and Taylor. Sen. Lundberg is a member of the Veteran Caucus. Letters ,emails and calls in support of HB2502(Harris)/SB2104( Lamar) could make the difference. Their contact information may be found at:  https:// wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/CommitteeInfo/SenateComm.aspx?ga=113&committeeKey=670000

As mention in the Feb 7 report, TNVET began visiting legislators to gain their co-sponsorship of bill HB2827(Camper)/SB2394(Briggs).  We visited each office of the Veteran Caucus that had not already signed on and other select legislators. Some legislators have signed on, some others promised to do so and we left request letters with those whom we were unable to meet directly.

As previously mentioned, the Veteran Caucus is a group of legislators that are either veterans or have an interest or constituency composed of many veterans or active duty. The following legislators compose the Veteran Caucus: Representatives – Reedy (Chairman), Boyd, Camper, Fritts, Glynn, C.Johnson, Moon, Parkinson, Ragan, Richey, D.Thompson, Whitson, and Wright. Senators – Briggs, Crowe, Jackson, Jackson, Johnson, Lundberg, Powers, and Roberts. Your contact with these members will help TNVET with the bills you have selected for us to support. You may find contact information on House Members at: https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/LegislatorInfo/ directory.aspx? chamber=H .  Senate members cintact information is at: https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/LegislatorInfo/directory.aspx?chamber=S

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February 7, 2024

Representatives of TNVET met with Sen. Lamar on the medical cannabis bill, HB2502(Harris)/SB2104( Lamar).  Discussions were on how to approach the legisature in gaining enough support to gain approval within the Senate Judiciary Committee, who has killed all previous such bills. An approach was determined and a meeting with the House Sponsor (Rep. Harris) would be set up to discuss options.

TNVET also conferred with staff in Rep. Campers office on HB2827(Camper)/SB2394 (Briggs).  The discussion was on gaining co-sponsors for the bill in preparation of going directly to Gov. Lee for a funding letter request. Lack of funding by the governor’s office, since 2016, has killed this effort every year. TNVET agreed to approach members of the Veteran Caucus anda sampling of legislators across the state to gain sponsors and, hopefully, governor support.

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February 2, 2024

TNVET was notified that all legislative bills had been assigned bill numbers for tracking.  Here are those assignments:

HB2217(Crawford)/ SB2111(Lundberg) – Tax Equalization- Property Tax Relief for Qualified 100% Disabled Veterans

You may read about the bill at:  https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/113/Bill/HB2217.pdf

HB2502 (Harris)/SB2104(Lamar)– Medical Cannabis

You may read about the bill at:  https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/113/Bill/HB2502.pdf

HB2531(Burkhart)/SB2212(Powers)– Electronic Voting for Active Duty and Families Serving 0verseas

You may read about the bill at: https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/113/Bill/HB2531.pdf

HB2827(Camper)/SB2394(Briggs)– Restoration of the 2nd free auto license plate for 100% disabled veterans

You may read about the bill at: https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/113/Bill/HB2827.pdf

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January 31, 2024

Veterans Day On The Hill is held. About 120 veterans from across the state attend.  Presentations were provided by the TNVET Board on agenda items, by Commissioner Baker of  the state Dept. of Veterans Services, by Executive Director Ed Harries of the Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes and by Speaker of The House Cameron Sexton.  Lt. Governor Randy McNally was scheduled to speak, but unable due to recovering from surgery.

Governor Lee took time to meet and take a group photo with the Tennessee Veteran Board members that represent the 10 veteran organizations of TNVET and with the military re-enactors in uniforms representing the U.S. military throughout its history.

 

After presentations and pictures, veterans and supporters were able to meet and visit with their elected House and Senate members on the issues/bills that TNVET is working in 2024.  The issues/bills can be referenced under the 2024 Legislation Agenda/Background tab.

By all accounts the day was a great success!