MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — A bill that would have increased South Dakota’s property tax exemption for permanently and totally disabled veterans will not move forward this session.

The South Dakota Senate voted 20-14 on Friday, Feb. 20, to defeat Senate Bill 126, which proposed raising the exemption from $200,000 to $300,000 of a qualifying home’s value for eligible disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses.

Supporters told lawmakers the change would provide additional relief to veterans who have significant, service-connected disabilities, as home values have risen across the state.

Opponents argued the higher exemption could shift the property tax burden to other homeowners, including seniors, young families and veterans who do not qualify for the program.

South Dakota’s disabled veteran property tax exemption program has been in place since 2007 and currently exempts up to $200,000 of assessed value for qualifying property, according to the South Dakota Department of Revenue.