Big Win for California's Disabled Veterans: SB 296 Clears Suspense and Heads to the Floor

In a major step forward for California's disabled veteran community, Senate Bill 296 has passed out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee's suspense file — the notoriously tough hearing where costly bills are often quietly held — and is now headed to the Assembly floor for a vote.

The bill's survival came with key amendments. As amended, SB 296 would exempt 50% of a home's value from property taxes for qualifying 100% disabled veterans and eligible unmarried surviving spouses, on their principal residence. For veterans and surviving spouses whose household income falls below a specified threshold, the exemption rises to 100% of the property's value. The relief applies to the first $1 million of a home's value.

Championing this effort are two of the Legislature's leading voices for veterans: Senator Bob Archuleta, the bill's author and Chair of the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, and Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, now a joint author and Chair of the Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs.

If passed and signed into law, SB 296 would take effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2027.