Since this affects so many, figured I'd let you all know. Endorsed by the MOAA, VFW and Amvets.

It's on the way to the Presidents desk

Official press release from Senator Burr (R-TX) office

"North Carolina Richard Burr
217 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-3154
FAX (202) 228-2981
http://www.burr.senate.gov

House Passes Burr Bill to Grant Residency Rights to Military Spouses
Bill would ease the burden on military families when they are transferred

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, November 02, 2009
CONTACT: Phone: David Ward Samantha Smith (202) 228-1616

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed S. 475, the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act, a bill introduced by Senator Richard Burr (R-TX) to allow military spouses to maintain or change residency when their family relocates due to military orders. Rep. John Carter (R-TX) sponsored the bill in the House. The bill is now headed to the President’s desk.

"Our military families are often called on to make frequent relocations, and it is only fair that we give the same residency benefits to spouses as we do to servicemembers," Senator Burr said. “This legislation is one small way we can help ease the burden of military families, who make sacrifices everyday to support our men and women in uniform and to keep our country safe.”

Military men and women have the ability to claim a state of residence and maintain that residency regardless of where military orders may send them. Unfortunately, military spouses are not granted this same benefit. In addition to the stress of frequently relocating, this inequality means that military spouses are less likely to have their names on deeds and titles of family property, leaving many feeling like second class citizens.

The Military Spouses Residency Relief Act would give a military spouse who moves out of state because of military orders the option to claim one state of domicile, regardless of where they move. This bill makes the move from station to station easier, removing the need to update drivers’ licenses, filing tax returns for multiple states, and changing vehicle and voter registrations with each move.

"The passage of this bill today is a victory for our military spouses and their families," Burr added. “At a time when we are demanding so much from our military families, this bill will make their lives and constant transitions a little easier.”"

catherine0830,
Thanks for the heads up!