OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill that would provide a sales tax exemption to spouses of military veterans killed in the line of duty passed the state Senate and now moves to the House for its consideration.
The Senate passed Senate Bill 1670 and an emergency clause 46-0 on March 14.
State Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, the House author of the measure, said she was approached by a constituent who serves spouses of veterans killed in action.
“Every little bit counts,” Hasenbeck said of the sales tax exemption. “The Oklahoma Tax Commission said it would have minimal impact on sales tax collections, plus it seems like the right thing to do. It’s symbolic as much as it is financial.”
The state already provides a sales tax exemption to surviving spouses of 100% disabled veterans.
Senate author Chris Kidd, R-Waurika, said Oklahoma has a proud military heritage and the bill is another way of honoring the state’s fallen military members by helping their surviving spouses.
“We are blessed to have so many brave men and women who have fought to defend freedom all over the world,” he said. “While nothing we can say or do can ever truly express our gratitude or acknowledgement for those patriots who make the ultimate sacrifice, we want to do all we can to honor them while also helping their spouses. This will ensure the widowed of those Oklahomans who are killed in action will also receive the sales tax exemption given to the surviving spouses of fully disabled veterans.”
Gary Seccor, veterans advocate for Lawton’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Chapter 5265, said SB 1670 is a “great measure” that is long overdue.