DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 486 Original 2023 Regular Session Hilferty
Abstract: Specifies that the ad valorem property tax exemptions for certain veterans with
disabilities shall apply to taxes beginning in tax year 2023.
Present constitution provides that, in addition to the homestead exemption which applies to the first
$7,500 of the assessed valuation of property, property receiving the homestead exemption which is
owned and occupied by a veteran with a service-connected disability rating by the U.S. Dept. of
Veterans Affairs shall be exempt from ad valorem tax as follows:
(1) For a veteran with a disability rating of 50% or more but less than 70%, the next $2,500 of
the assessed valuation of the property shall be exempt. Provides that if property eligible for
the exemption has an assessed value in excess of $10,000, ad valorem property taxes shall
apply to the assessment in excess of $10,000.
(2) For a veteran with a disability rating of 70% or more but less than 100%, the next $4,500 of
the assessed valuation of the property shall be exempt. Provides that if property eligible for
the exemption has an assessed value in excess of $12,000, ad valorem property taxes shall
apply to the assessment in excess of $12,000.
(3)For a veteran with a disability rating of 100% unemployability or totally disabled, the total
assessed valuation of the property shall be exempt.
Present constitution provides that the exemptions shall apply to the surviving spouse of a deceased
veteran with the required disability rating, whether or not the exemption was in effect on the property
prior to the death of the veteran.
Present constitution provides that the assessment of property for which the exemption has been
claimed, shall not be treated as taxable property for purposes of any subsequent reappraisals and
valuation for millage adjustment purposes under present constitution. Further provides that the
decrease in the total amount of ad valorem tax collected by a taxing authority as a result of the
exemption shall be absorbed by the taxing authority and shall not create any additional tax liability
for other taxpayers in the taxing district as a result of any subsequent reappraisal and valuation or
millage adjustment. Provides that implementation of the exemption shall neither trigger nor be cause
for a reappraisal of property, or an adjustment of millages.
Proposed constitutional amendment retains present constitution but provides that the ad valorem tax
exemptions in present constitution shall apply to ad valorem taxes due beginning in tax year 2023. Proposed constitutional amendment shall become effective on Nov. 1, 2023, and shall be applicable
to tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2023.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election to be held
Oct. 14, 2023.
(Adds Const. Art. VII, ยง21(K)(4))