You asked for brief summaries of Veterans Affairs' Committee bills reported favorably to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.

SB 748 — AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR A REGIONAL PROTECTION TRAINING FACILITY

This bill authorizes up to $ 10 million in bond funds to construct a regional force protection training facility as recommended by the Governor's Commission for the Economic Diversification of Southeastern Connecticut.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2007

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 6714 — AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR MILITARY MUSEUMS IN THE CITIES OF MIDDLETOWN AND WEST HAVEN

This bill requires the State Bond Commission to issue up to $ 6 million in bonds to establish a military museum in Middletown and up to $ 6 million to establish a military museum in West Haven.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2007

HOUSE BILL 7169 — AN ACT INCREASING STATE ACTIVE DUTY PAY AND PROVIDING AN INCOME TAX DEDUCTION FOR CERTAIN STATE ACTIVE DUTY PAYMENTS

This bill increases the per diem pay for National Guard service ordered by the governor to a minimum $ 125 and exempts the pay from income tax. Under current law, commissioned officers, warrant officers, and enlisted persons get the same rate as they get for federal duty, plus $ 10 for warrant officers and $ 5 for first lieutenant.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2007

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 6945 — AN ACT CONCERNING THE OPTIONAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR VETERANS

This bill allows municipalities to set any income cap (above current law's cap) for the local option veterans' property tax exemption. Under current law, the cap is $ 25,000 above the income limits for the circuit breaker program, which is currently $ 28, 800 for single filers and $ 35,300 for married couples.

The bill increases the amount of the exemption towns may provide from a maximum $ 10,000 or 10% of the property's assessed value to a maximum $ 20,000 or 20% of the property's assessed value.

By law, towns may provide this nonreimbursable property tax exemption to veterans who meet the law's criteria for the basic veterans' property tax exemption.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2007

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