ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fifth Legislature First Regular Session
	House: TRANS DPA 11-0-0-1

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HB 2694: VLT and registration fee exemptions

Sponsor:  Representative Blackman, LD 6

Caucus & COW

Overview

Modifies the vehicle license tax (VLT) and registration fee exemptions for veterans and military families.

History

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 28-5802, the registering officer is prohibited from collecting a VLT or registration fee from:

1) A veteran residing in Arizona for a vehicle or any replacement vehicle acquired by financial aid from the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA); and

2) A veteran for a personally owned vehicle or a veteran and another party owning a vehicle if the veteran is certified by the VA to be 100% with a disability and drawing compensation on that basis. The exemption provided applies to a surviving spouse of the veteran with a disability until the surviving spouse remarries or death.

On initial registration on a vehicle a veteran claiming an exemption must present satisfactory proof of the VA financial aid or government compensation and certificate on determination of 100% disability. The exemption only applies to one vehicle or any replacement of the vehicle.

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 28-5801.01, the registering officer is prohibited from collecting a VLT or registration fee for a resident of Arizona who is a surviving spouse or dependent of a deceased member of the U.S. military who was killed in the line of duty or who died from injuries suffered in the line of duty. The exemption for a surviving spouse applies until the surviving spouse's remarriage or death. The exemption for a dependent applies until the person is no longer considered a dependent. A surviving spouse or dependent is permitted to claim only one vehicle for exemption.

Provisions

1. Specifies that the VLT and registration fee exemption for a veteran certified by the VA as having a 100% disability and their surviving spouse until remarriage or death applies only if the disability resulted from combat related injuries that were sustained in the following theaters of operation:

a) World War II beginning in 1939 and ending in 1945;

b) The Korean War beginning in 1950 and ending in 1953;

c) The Vietnam War beginning in 1955 and ending in 1975;

d) The Multinational Intervention in Lebanon beginning in 1982 and ending in 1984;

e) The Invasion of Grenada in 1983;

f) The Invasion of Panama beginning in 1989 and ending in 1990;

g) The First United States Intervention in the Somali Civil War beginning in 1992 and ending in 1995;

h) The Bosnian War beginning in 1992 and ending in 1995;

i) The Kosovo War beginning in 1998 and ending in 1999;

j) The War in Afghanistan beginning in 2001;

k) The Iraq War beginning in 2003 and ending in 2011;

l) The American-led Intervention in Syria beginning in 2014. (Sec. 1)

2. Adds a VLT and registration fee exemption for a veteran who is a bona fide purple heart recipient and their surviving spouse until remarriage or death if both:

a) The purple heart recipient sustains an injury resulting from:

i. An action against an enemy of the U.S.;

ii. An action with an opposing armed force of a foreign county in which the armed forces of the U.S. are or have been engaged;

iii. Serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the U.S. is not a belligerent party; or

iv. An act of an enemy, opposing armed force or hostile foreign force;

b) The purple heart recipient has served in at least one of the following theaters of operation:

i. World War II beginning in 1939 and ending in 1945;

ii. The Korean War beginning in 1950 and ending in 1953;

iii. The Vietnam War beginning in 1955 and ending in 1975;

iv. The Multinational Intervention in Lebanon beginning in 1982 and ending in 1984;

v. The Invasion of Grenada in 1983;

vi. The Invasion of Panama beginning in 1989 and ending in 1990;

vii. The First United States Intervention in the Somali Civil War beginning in 1992 and ending in 1995;

viii. The Bosnian War beginning in 1992 and ending in 1995;

ix. The Kosovo War beginning in 1998 and ending in 1999;

x. The War in Afghanistan beginning in 2001;

xi. The Iraq War beginning in 2003 and ending in 2011; or

xii. The American-led Intervention in Syria beginning in 2014. (Sec. 1)

3. Requires a person claiming the purple heart exemption to present satisfactory proof of the receipt of the purple heart medal. (Sec. 1)

4. Specifies that the VLT and registration fee exemption for a surviving spouse or dependent of a diseased member of the U.S. military applies if the death or death from injuries suffered are from the line of duty of the following theaters of operation:

a) World War II beginning in 1939 and ending in 1945;

b) The Korean War beginning in 1950 and ending in 1953;

c) The Vietnam War beginning in 1955 and ending in 1975;

d) The Multinational Intervention in Lebanon beginning in 1982 and ending in 1984;

e) The Invasion of Grenada in 1983;

f) The Invasion of Panama beginning in 1989 and ending in 1990;

g) The First United States Intervention in the Somali Civil War beginning in 1992 and ending in 1995;

h) The Bosnian War beginning in 1992 and ending in 1995;

i) The Kosovo War beginning in 1998 and ending in 1999;

j) The War in Afghanistan beginning in 2001;

k) The Iraq War beginning in 2003 and ending in 2011; or

l) The American-led Intervention in Syria beginning in 2014. (Sec. 2)

5. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)

Amendments

Committee on Transportation

1. Removes the requirement for all the aforementioned VLT and registration fee exemptions to meet conditions based on certain injuries from service in specified military operations.

2. Adds a VLT and registration fee reduction for veterans with a disability other than 100% that is equal to the percent of the veteran's disability.

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                        HB 2694

Initials JT        Page 0 Caucus & COW

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