The House is moving legislation to help cut new car costs for military vets with service-connected disabilities.
During its final meeting of the Legislative Session, the Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee became the second panel to approve of HB 665, bipartisan legislation from Democratic Rep. Kim Daniels and Republican Rep. Kiyan Michael that would give those who gave so much to their country a tax break on new cars.
Veterans would have to produce proof of total disability from Florida’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs and have that evidence verified by the Department of Revenue.
The Department of Revenue would also have to make rules regarding this statutory provision.
If this bill becomes law, which currently appears up in the air given the lack of a Senate version, it would cost the state more than $17 million in general revenue and take more than $2 million from local governments.
Totally disabled veterans have conditions that make it unlikely that they can get jobs, including loss of hands, feet or limbs, total blindness, or being bedridden.
Ahead of the unanimous vote to move the bill forward, Rep. Lisa Dunkley lauded the intention behind the legislation.
“Florida is leading in what we provide for our veterans but there’s still so much more that can be done. And this is one additional step. We are saying to our veterans: We see your service, and we appreciate what you have done in service to our country,” said the Broward County Democrat.
While there is no Senate companion to this bill, its favorable reception thus far suggests that even if it’s not taken up, the language could surface as an amendment to a bill that is moving.
