Lorenz's Gold Star Widow Legislation Heard in Senate Committee

COLUMBUS—State Representative Brian Lorenz’s (R-Powell) legislation to expand homestead exemptions for the surviving spouses of uniformed service members killed in the line of duty was heard before the Senate Ways and Means Committee Wednesday. 

House Bill 378 or the Gold Star Widow’s bill will expand a property tax exemption to Gold Star widows or widowers, someone that has lost their spouse will in the line of duty. 

“This legislation is critically important to a surviving spouse,” said Lorenz. “While offering a tax exemption can never bring back their loved one, the State can provide support by reducing their financial burden and ease their fears of losing their home.”

The Gold Star Widow’s Bill homestead exemption will exempt all taxes imposed on the surviving spouse’s homestead. This legislation also expands eligibility of the program from the standard household income threshold of $38,600 to $52,300 for surviving spouses.   

This exemption will be available until a surviving spouse dies, remarries or cohabitates with another unrelated person.

The legislation awaits additional hearings in the Senate committee.