Veterans (People with Disabilities)

HB 3280 creates a special license plate for surviving spouses of disabled veterans, replacing the standard "SHOW-ME STATE" plate with "SURVIVING SPOUSE" and "OF DISABLED VETERAN" on the bottom. To qualify, applicants must prove surviving spouse status, pay a $15 fee on top of regular registration, and own a vehicle (not commercial or over 24,000 lbs gross weight). The plates must be reflective, visually clear at night, and aesthetically consistent with state standards, but cannot be transferred to others except to a co-owner if the qualifying spouse dies. This policy change directly affects eligible surviving spouses by providing a visible identifier for their status.

HB 3078 would allow Missouri counties to provide a property tax credit for disabled veterans with a 100% VA disability rating. It applies to primary residences valued at $500,000 or less, covering all local property taxes (except state blind pension fund levies). Counties must opt in via vote, and the credit passes to surviving spouses who remain in the home and don’t remarry. The credit is non-refundable, does not replace other tax relief, and is not an exemption from property taxes.

SJR 77 is a Senate Joint Resolution proposing a property tax exemption for disabled veterans. It would authorize the state to exempt qualifying disabled veterans from paying property taxes on their primary residence. This resolution is currently in early stages (prefiled and first read) and would require further legislative approval to become law. It does not currently change tax policy but proposes a new exemption for disabled veterans if enacted.