(KCEN) -- There is new Texas legislation to help the spouses of fallen soldiers and it all started right here in Killeen.
A Senate committee meeting back in August inspired the bill.
But two women's courage to come forward could change the lives of countless spouses in Texas just like them.
When Donna Engeman and Paulette Williams stood up for themselves at this Senate panel they were sticking up for every spouse who's significant other died in combat.
Paulette was twice denied a property tax exemption because the law only qualified spouses of living veterans who were 100% disabled.
According to Paulette, "They sent the application back and said that we need to know what percentage of disability your husband had. My thought was what percentage? He's dead. How much more disabled can you be?"
Senator Leticia Van de Putte heard her story that day.
And this month she filed Senate Bill 163 to include gold star spouses on that exemption.
In a statement she said, "It is time to make sure we properly honor the sacrifice of the whole family."
Echoing the very message Paulette poured out just five months ago.
"We owe our surviving family members and we owe our war fighters, us, their families a better quality of life," says Paulette.
If passed, this bill would lower the living expenses of many spouses who are learning to live on one less income.
The bill was introduced on January 9th and referred to finance on Tuesday.
