§ 9611 — Exemption

(a) Payment.--A veteran-owned or reservist-owned small business shall be exempt from the payment of a business fee.

(b) Proof.--A veteran or reservist must provide the department or licensing authority of a political subdivision with proof of the veteran's or reservist's status using any of the following with any business application:

(1) A copy of a Federal DD-214 form.

(2) A copy of a Federal NGB-22 form.

(3) A valid Federal Veterans' Administration card.

(4) A valid Department of Defense-issued military identification card.

(c) Status.--The Department of State or licensing authority of a political subdivision, in consultation with other Commonwealth agencies, may determine an applicant's status as a veteran or reservist in accordance with this section.

(d) Offenses.--

(1) A person who fraudulently obtains a business fee exemption commits a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(2) A person assigning, transferring or attempting to assign or transfer a business fee exemption or using or attempting to use a business fee exemption contrary to this section commits a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(e) Reporting.--The Department of State shall annually determine the total number of business fee exemptions applied for and issued and the total dollar amount of the exemptions under this section and submit a report to the chair and minority chair of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the Senate and the chair and minority chair of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the House of Representatives. The report may be submitted electronically.