The state House on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill giving military personnel in the Middle East extra time to file state and local income taxes.

Under the bill, Pennsylvania residents who are members of the military, Defense Department and Red Cross would receive a 180-day grace period after returning from the Persian Gulf or a military hospital to pay their taxes without penalties or interest. Spouses are also included in the bill, which will now move to the state Senate.

About 5,000 people would be affected by the bill.

Rep. Lynn Herman, R-Philipsburg, said he supported the measure because military personnel and their families have other concerns now.

"I voted for it, and I and other members of the General Assembly do not feel that members of the military serving in the Persian Gulf should have to worry about the burden of filing income taxes," Herman said.

State taxes included in the bill are for personal income, real estate, earned income, occupation and occupational privilege.

An amendment to the bill would exempt survivors of people killed in the war from paying personal income tax the year of and the year before the death.

Reservist Scott Schumaker (sophmore-division of undergraduate studies) said he thinks the bill is necessary.

"If I get called up I'm going to have a lot of trouble getting the forms sent in," Schumaker said.

Another leglislator agreed with Herman and Schumaker.

"I think it will make a difference," said Rep. Ruth Rudy, D-Centre Hall.

The bill would provide "a little bit of leeway to enable them to get their returns in," Rudy said.

She added the bill would be especially helpful for reservists who have to financially adjust from being "ripped out of one occupation and put into another."

If enacted, the measure would take effect immediately and expire one year after the war ends.

Both Herman and Rudy said they thought the bill would have little impact on the state's troubled economy.

"I don't think there's that large a group from Pennsylvania," Rudy said. "Plus some will have their returns in on time."

Another bill awaiting a vote in the state Senate would provide $200 a month in addition to regular pay to all state residents in the military serving in the Middle East.

Members of the reserves, National Guard and retired personnel who have been called to active duty would also receive the $200. It would not matter where they serve.