There shall be established a special commission to study and recommend ways to modernize and increase property tax abatements and exemptions for veterans and surviving spouses available under M.G.L. ch. 59. The study shall include, but not be limited to: (i) a review of the current tax abatements and exemptions for veterans and surviving spouses available under the chapter; (ii) a determination of the relation of tax abatements and exemptions to United States Department of Veterans Affairs  disability rating, and; (iii) recommendations to create a system of abatements and exemptions which link United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating to abatement and exemption amount.

The commission shall consist of: two persons to be appointed by the Senate President, one of whom shall serve as co-Chair, at least one of whom shall be a veteran; two persons to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall serve as co-Chair, at least one of whom shall be a veteran; one person to be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, who shall be a veteran; one person to be appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a veteran; the Secretary of the Department of Veterans’ Services or a designee; The Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard or a designee; the Director of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Boston Regional Office or a designee; the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, or a designee; the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association or a designee; the Massachusetts Department Adjutant of the Disabled American Veterans or a designee; the president of the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers or a designee; and five persons to be appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be a Local Veterans Services Officer, one of whom shall be a surviving spouse and no fewer than three of whom shall be veterans.

The commission may solicit input through public hearings and testimony.

The commission shall file a report of its findings and recommendations with the Clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives and the Senate and House Committees on Ways and Means not later than December 1, 2020.