State Rep. Mike Johnson introduces legislation honoring veterans

Press Release

Today, State Representative Mike Johnson (R-Bossier City) received unanimous support in legislative committee for the first of his bills this session that honor veterans and their spouses for their service and sacrifices to protect our country.

Johnson's HB 355, which creates the "Bronze Star Medal" special prestige license plate for Louisiana, received the full support of the House of Representatives' Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee. The Bronze Star is awarded to a person in any branch of U.S. Armed Forces who has distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. HB 355 now advances to a vote of the full House.

Johnson's next bill to be heard, HB 505, authorizes an ad valorem property tax exemption for the surviving spouse of any person who died while on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Prior to its introduction in the House Ways and Means Committee, Johnson is adding an amendment to also provide the same exemption for the surviving spouses of police and firefighters who die in the line of duty.

"As the son of a firefighter who was critically injured and permanently disabled in the line of duty, I know the heartache and stress that families experience when a loved one is injured or killed while serving their country," said Johnson. "This bill expresses just a small amount of the tremendous gratitude that all of us feel toward those who make the ultimate sacrifice. The last thing the widow of a fallen soldier needs to worry about is the stress of maintaining the property taxes on the family home. After the death of a spouse, I think they've paid enough."

"We are proud of all our heroes who have served Louisiana and our great nation, and the bills I'm advancing are an appropriate way for us to honor those commitments at a state level," said Johnson.

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