HCS SB 325 -- MILITARY AFFAIRS

SPONSOR:  Steelman (Shoemaker, 8)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs by a vote of 15 to 0.

This substitute requires the county recorder of deeds to accept
original certified military discharge documents for filing.  The
recorder may refuse to accept any document that appears to have
alterations or erasures.  The recorder must maintain a separate
open public index of the documents, using only the name of the
subject of the military document.  The substitute sets forth the
parties who may have access to the record, including the
individual, certain relatives, and legal representatives.  A
notarized request for any document must be made to the recorder.
The Recorders' Association of Missouri is required to develop a
request form for the military documents.  A record of all
requests must be kept by the recorder for five years.  The
substitute also applies to the City of St. Louis.

The substitute repeals current law requiring the recorder to
maintain a list of all military discharges and requiring the
records to be open to the public.  The substitute also prohibits
any reproduction or use of military discharge documents for any
commercial or speculative purpose.

Current law permits veterans of both world wars and the Korean
War who entered the military before graduating from high school
to receive an honorary high school diploma.  The substitute
deletes references to specific wars to permit any veteran who
left high school to enter the military to apply for an honorary
diploma.

The substitute requires every public school district to devote
one class period at each district school to an observance of the
significance of Veterans Day.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill honors veterans.  Many
teachers and other persons are not aware of Veterans Day.  The
bill will help teach the history and sacrifice of veterans.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Steelman; Veterans of
Foreign Wars; and Missouri Association of Veterans Organizations.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:13 am