Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, has introduced a bill that would exempt military retirement pay from the state income tax, officials said Wednesday.

Tuesday, Wilk announced the introduction of Senate Bill 1071, bipartisan legislation that would exempt military retirement pay from the state income tax. Senators Bob Archuleta, D- Pico Rivera, chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and Patricia Bates, R-Laguna Niguel, are joint authors of the measure, according to an official release from Wilk’s office.

“The 21st Senate District is blessed to have many veterans. Their skill sets, education and earning potential make them a great asset to not only the 21st Senate District, but to all of California. We want to keep this talent here as well as show our respect for their service to our nation,” said Wilk. “Without some kind of incentive, California’s infamously high taxes and cost of living will continue to push the veteran community right out of state.”

California is one of seven states that fully taxes military retirement pay, according to Wilk’s office.

The nation’s military retirement rate has increased 17 percent between the years 2000 and 2016, yet California’s military retirement population has declined by 17 percent during that same period, according to the official release.

“For a state that boasts about leading the nation, California is decades behind the rest of the country in encouraging our nation’s heroes to remain in California and continue contributing to our economic success,” Wilk said. “Making things a bit more retirement-friendly is a step in the right direction.”

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