HCS HB 207 -- VETERANS' PROGRAMS

SPONSOR:  Boucher (Ross)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Public
Safety, Law Enforcement and Veteran Affairs by a vote of 19 to 0.

This substitute allocates a portion of the Veterans' Commission
Capital Improvements Trust Fund for the issuance of $750,000
annually in matching fund grants for veterans service officer
programs.  The funds may be issued to any federally-chartered
veterans organization that is certified by the Veterans
Administration to process claims within the administration
system.  Any organization receiving funds must have maintained a
veterans service officer presence within the state for 3 years
preceding the issuance of grants.  The Missouri Veterans
Commission must provide applications, establish grant
requirements, and approve all grants.  The grants will be made
available annually and issued in July of each year.

The substitute contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  Cost to Veterans' Commission Capital Improvements
Trust Fund of $0 to $750,000 in FY 2002, FY 2003, and FY 2004.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that due to lack of funds the
veterans organizations are in danger of losing their veterans
service office programs.  These offices are the backbone of the
veterans organizations.  They represent and assist veterans
before the veterans commission, help veterans gaining needed
services, and recover benefits.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Ross; Veterans of
Foreign Wars; and Missouri Veterans Organizations Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Bob Dominique, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:42 am