HCS HB 1139, 1271, 1736 & 1908 -- WORLD WAR II VETERANS'
RECOGNITION

SPONSOR:  Boucher

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Federal--
State Relations and Veterans Affairs by a vote of 14 to 0.

This substitute requires the state to award a medal and
certificate of recognition to every veteran who honorably served
on active duty in the United States military during World War
II.  The veteran is required to be a legal resident of the state
on August 28, 2000, and have been honorably discharged or still
in active service.  The Adjutant General is required to
administer the veterans' recognition program.  The Veterans'
Commission will design the recognition medal.  The commission
must seek input on the design of the medal from elementary and
secondary schools, veterans' groups, civic organizations, and
other interested parties.  The substitute also establishes the
World War II Veterans' Recognition Award Fund.  The fund is
created for the purpose of receiving gifts, donations, bequests,
and legislative appropriations for the veterans' recognition
program.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not available at time of printing.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that veterans were promised this
bonus.  Many veterans are passing away each year and the state
must act quickly on this legislation.  Gaming funds should pay
for the bonus.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Ward and Selby.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst

HB 1139 -- Veteran's Bonus

Co-Sponsors:  Ward, Selby

This bill requires the state to pay a $1,000 bonus to all
qualifying honorably discharged veterans or certain surviving
family members of veterans who served during World War II.  The
Adjutant General is responsible for administering the bonus
program.  An appeals process is established to deal with the
denial of a bonus.  The bonus is to be paid from the Veterans'
Service Bonus Fund established by this bill.  Anyone knowingly
making a false statement related to the claim of a veteran's
bonus is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.  Funds for the
veterans' bonus program are to be transferred from the Gaming
Commission Fund.  The initial transfer from the Gaming
Commission Fund is $3 million.  Any remaining moneys in the
Veterans' Service Bonus Fund after all claims are paid will be
transferred to the Early Childhood Development, Education, and
Care Fund.