FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Ray Carter, House Media
Capitol: (405) 557-7421

Contact: State Rep. Ray McCarter
Capitol: (405) 557-7405
Marlow: (580) 658-3454

House Votes to Exempt Disabled Veterans from Sales Tax

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 7) - State lawmakers overwhelmingly supported a
bill Monday that would exempt Oklahoma's disabled veterans from paying
sales tax.
 House Bill 1312, by Rep. Ray McCarter, would exempt 100-percent
disabled veterans from paying sales tax on all purchases of "tangible
personal property or services."
 "Our veterans have given so much, especially our disabled
veterans, and this is one way we can honor their sacrifice," said
McCarter, D-Marlow.
 House Bill 1312 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on
a 99-0 vote
 If approved, the tax break would save Oklahoma's disabled
veterans a combined $1.5 million per year.
 The exemption would be granted to honorably discharged veterans
rated 100-percent disabled as the result of a permanent service-related
injury.
 Veterans are given a disability rating for service-related
injuries, physical or mental, based on the resulting level of
"functional impairment." The rating considers the ability of the
individual to function under ordinary conditions of daily life,
including employment.
 Those rated 100-percent disabled are not necessary completely
immobilized, but they do have injuries that have a severe impact on
their daily lives.
 According to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs,
roughly 5,500 of Oklahoma's 360,000 veterans are rated 100-percent
disabled.
 McCarter filed similar legislation last year that did not
receive a hearing. He said House Bill 1312 is meant as a companion to a
property tax break given disabled veterans last fall.
 State Question 715 provided an exemption from property tax to
any 100-percent disabled veteran whose injury occurred while in the
service. The tax break, expected to save Oklahoma's disabled veterans a
combined $1.3 million annually, received the support of 84 percent of
Oklahoma voters.
 McCarter, who authored the legislation placing State Question
715 on the ballot, said the sales tax exemption is a logical next step.
 "This is a continuation of that effort," McCarter said. "It's
important that we recognize the contributions of our veterans and repay
them whenever we can, any way we can."
 He said the bill could partially offset potential funding cuts
in federal veterans programs.
 "Since our federal government has been considering funding cuts
for veterans programs, this is something that we can do to make up the
difference at the state level," McCarter said.
 House Bill 1312 now proceeds to the Oklahoma Senate.
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