Stitt signs bill to grant American Legion tax-exempt status

Governor Signs Bill to Grant American Legion Tax-Exempt Status

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday [May 6th] signed a bill that will exempt the American Legion Department of Oklahoma from sales tax.

House Majority Leader Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher, and Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, are authors of House Bill 1003. The measure previously passed unanimously in the House and Senate.

“The American Legion is our state’s largest veterans’ organization, serving in Oklahoma for 100 years,” Sanders said. “I want to thank them for all that they do on behalf of our veterans and their families as well as our youth. I’ve been working for many years to ensure the American Legion has the same tax-exempt status as other organizations with similar missions. I want to thank Senator Thompson for working to help secure passage of this bill and Governor Stitt for signing this legislation.”

Sanders made note of the American Legion’s many patriotic education programs and outreach ministries as well as their dedication to a mission of strong national security. He said he’s been working to secure passage of this tax exemption for many years, but the state’s down economy precluded such action until this year.

“I want to thank Governor Stitt and my fellow members for making this stand for Oklahoma veterans,” Thompson said. “When we say we honor and appreciate our veterans, it’s important to make sure that we’re backing up those words with actions. This modest tax benefit will help the American Legion throughout Oklahoma – an organization that continues to provide vital support and services to our veterans.”

The new law becomes effective July 1, 2019.

State House passes bill to grant American Legion tax-exempt status

Rep. Sanders Comments on Passage of Bill to Grant American Legion Tax-Exempt Status

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Majority Leader Mike Sanders today commented on passage of his bill that would exempt the American Legion Department of Oklahoma from sales tax.

House Bill 1003 passed the House by a unanimous vote of 94-0. It now advances to the state Senate.

“The American Legion has been in Oklahoma for 100 years serving our state veterans and their families as well as our youth through a variety of patriotic education programs and outreach ministries,” said Sanders, R-Kingfisher. “The Legion also promotes a mission of strong national security. It deserves the same tax-exempt status that other organizations with similar missions already have.”

Sanders said this bill was the first piece of legislation he filed when he was first elected to the House of Representatives. The state’s economy precluded the bill from being advanced until this year. He’s optimistic with the state’s current revenue surplus the bill will be passed and signed into law this year.