Bill Summary:

• AN ACT Relating to updating property tax exemptions for service-connected disabled veterans and senior citizens; amending RCW  84.36.381, 84.36.383, 84.36.385, and 84.38.020; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

What the Bill says:

• If the income of the person claiming the exemption  increases as a result of a cost-of-living adjustment to social security benefits or supplemental security income in an amount that would disqualify the applicant from eligibility, the applicant is not disqualified but instead maintains eligibility.

Our Summary Opinion:

• This bi-partisan bill brings some sanity to the small increases that social security recipients receive as a cost of living increase. Each time a SS  cola is passed out the individuals find themselves spending more in increased costs for Medicare and any subsidies. It is often the cause of the individual going backwards in their disposable income. This bill would stop that small increase from causing people to lose their partial exemptions on property taxes for homes they occupy personally..