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Hudgins proposal helps military families that are
unexpectedly shipped out for active duty
February 8, 2006
Olympia – Not long ago State Representative Zack Hudgins was discussing
safety concerns with soldiers on the front lines in Iraq. This year he’s
addressing security concerns here on the home front. His bill, HB 2439, extends
a real estate excise tax exemption to military families who receive military
relocation orders.
“In Iraq I saw the sacrifice our soldiers make everyday in service of our
country” said Representative Zack Hudgins (D-Tukwila) who is the legislation’s
prime sponsor. “When duty calls, the state should also understand.”
The bill idea came from a Renton resident, the wife of an air force C-17 pilot
who has served in Iraq. She has moved 11 times in 13 years with her husband as
he was stationed in different places. It has since been designated a legislative
priority of the House Veterans & Military Task Force for the 2006 session.
House Bill 2439 would extend a real estate excise tax exemption to soldiers and
their spouses who have lived in their home for fewer than three years. The
property must also be sold within 12 months of receiving their transfer orders
to qualify for the exemption.
“Some of these families have been forced to pack up, sell their home, and
relocate somewhere else multiple times,” said Hudgins. “They deal with the
emotional hardship; we can help them deal with the financial one.”
To be eligible for the exemption, the person selling the property must:
• Occupy the property as a principal place of residence at the time the orders
are issued;
• Have purchased the residence within three years preceding the issuance of
orders;
• Sell the property within twelve months following the issuance of orders; and
• is (or whose spouse is) an active duty member of the military on the date of
the sale.
Hudgins’ bill passed by a unanimous vote from the House Floor Tuesday afternoon.
It now awaits further action in the Senate. It was part of the package of bills
passed Tuesday to provide relief to military and national guard members and
their families, which included:
Veterans Innovations Program (HB 2754): provides crisis and emergency relief
resources for veterans who are returning from military action.
Property tax exemption (HB 2432): provides property tax relief for veterans of
the U.S. Armed Forces with 100 percent service connected disability with income
of $70,000 and below, by freezing the assessed value of their home.
Tuition waivers for Veterans (HB 2233): will make waivers available to all
eligible veterans; in addition, Higher Ed institutions must reach out to
veterans.
Military status/defendants (HB 3074): This bill creates a process to serve a
notice on the defendant, which will give a service member an opportunity to
assert his or her rights.
Apprenticeship Utilization (HB 3003): Extends apprenticeship utilization
requirements to public works contracts awarded by the Department of
Transportation and teams up with programs such as 'Helmets to Hardhats' in order
to transition soldiers from military service to the construction workforce.
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Staff Contact:
James Paribello (360) 786-7843
Radio and TV News Directors: To obtain broadcast-quality audio on this issue, or
to arrange for TV or radio interviews, please contact Caucus Broadcast
Coordinator Dan Frizzell at frizzell.dan@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7208
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