Today, the Arizona House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed HB 2153 which exempts a surviving spouse and a dependent of a deceased United States military member from paying a vehicle license tax (VLT) or registration fee for a vehicle. The measure passed with only member Rep. Charlene Fernandez voting no.
The bill was sponsored by reps. Sonny Borelli and Mark Finchem.
Currently, Arizona law requires that vehicle license taxes are paid for all vehicles registered for operation upon highways (Article IX, Section 11, Constitution of Arizona). In addition, an eight dollar registration fee is required for all motor vehicles and a nine dollar fee is assessed for all motorcycles (A.R.S. § 28-2003). Currently, A.R.S. § 28-5803.01 exempts surviving spouses and dependents of deceased law enforcement officers, firefighters or emergency responders killed in the line of duty or as a result of injuries sustained in the line of duty from paying a VLT or registration fee, according to the legislative overview.
HB2153 also specifies that a surviving spouse or dependent may claim only one vehicle for this exemption.