The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has released an updated report from its Office of Research and Education Accountability that details the various benefits and services provided by the state to veterans and their families.

For fiscal year 2023-24, the report quantifies approximately $45.5 million in direct state spending and forgone revenue (such as waived or discounted fees) for veterans. The largest portion, about $27.2 million, comes from the Comptroller’s Property Tax Relief program for disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. The next biggest recurring expense is roughly $12.1 million in state appropriations for the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, which helps veterans access federal and state benefits and manages the state’s veterans cemeteries. Other quantified benefits include funding for veterans’ treatment courts, higher education programs like the Helping Heroes Grant and Veteran Reconnect, retirement service credits, free or discounted hunting and fishing licenses, reduced camping and lodging fees at state parks, handgun permit discounts, and various other agency-administered initiatives.

The report also notes key updates since 2021, such as changes to the Tri-Stars and Stripes Council, funding for the new Tennessee Wings of Liberty Museum in Clarksville, increased property tax relief payments, and higher numbers of disabled veteran hunting and fishing licenses issued.

Beyond these measurable benefits, Tennessee offers numerous unquantified supports and protections, including hiring preferences for state employment, tuition waivers and exemptions in higher education, business tax exemptions for certain disabled veterans, veterans housing assistance, and other specialized programs across state agencies.

The report points out that Tennessee currently lacks a comprehensive, regularly updated public guide to these state-provided veterans benefits and services. As a potential improvement, it suggests that the Department of Veterans Services could develop and maintain such a centralized resource to help veterans more easily identify and access available support.