A bill authored by state Senator Tom Berryhill, R-Twain Harte, to ease construction costs for disabled veterans cleared a major legislative hurdle on Tuesday, as the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee advanced the measure unanimously.

SB 330 would allow local governments to waive building permit fees for home improvements related to veterans’ service-connected disabilities.

“They gave so much for our freedom,” Berryhill said. “This modest and important gesture is the least we can do.”

The measure is supported by the California Building Industry Association, the American G.I. Forum of California, the American Legion-Department of California, the AMVETS-Department of California, the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers, the California State Commanders Veterans Council, the Military Officers Association of America, California Council of Chapters and the Vietnam Veterans of America-California State Council.

SB 330 heads to the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee next.

Senator Berryhill represents the counties of Amador, Calaveras, Inyo, Mariposa, Mono, Stanislaus, Tuolumne and parts of Fresno, Madera, Sacramento and Tulare.