On Monday, May 22, House Representative Randy Frye (R) District 67 attended a ceremonial bill signing with Governor Holcomb for legislation Frye authored that supports our active-duty military and veterans. 

"It's an important day," Frye said. "Sort of a victory celebration of a lot of work that happened during the legislative session."

House Bill 1034, authored by Representative Frye, provides income tax exemption for military pay. This is a bill Frye has filed for several years and had yet to receive a hearing. However, this year the bill passed unanimously.

"What the bill does is any of our active duty military, soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, coast guard men are all exempt from Indiana income tax," Frye explained. "Currently, they are not, and this will help our soldiers not only to save some money but also to know how much we appreciate them, and of course, once their military service is done, we want them to come back to Indiana."

House Enrolled Act 1056 was also authored by representative frye and is a bill that will expand veteran cemeteries. Frye explained, "We currently have one in Madison, and this one will add a second veterans cemetery in West Lafayette, allowing our National Guard to be buried in an Indiana Veterans cemetery. It is very important for them and their families."

The bill also clarified the military family relief fund."Currently, a veteran is eligible for up to $2500 from the Military Family Relief Fund," Frye said. "However, under the current law, if they came and asked for $500, they couldn't come back and ask for $2000 later on, and so this bill clarifies that they are eligible for up to $2500 for their lifetime."

Frye shared what made the day extra special for him.

“It's just such an honor to be able to carry veteran bills and to let them know our veterans and active duty military how much we appreciate them," Frye said. "It is such an honor to have the support of all of my colleagues and Governor Holcomb."