HCS SCS SB 1365 -- VETERANS' EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS

SPONSOR:  Yeckel (Jackson)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Homeland
Security and Veterans Affairs by a vote of 16 to 0.

Subject to appropriations, the substitute requires the General
Assembly to encourage the development of veterans' outreach and
education programs which promote the historical significance of
veterans' military service.  The programs must be approved by the
Executive Director of the Missouri Veterans Commission and will
be conducted in public schools, veteran cemeteries, veteran
homes, and other institutions.  This provision of the substitute
will expire six years from the effective date.

The substitute also creates the Veterans' Historical Education
Trust Fund which will be administered by the Missouri Veterans
Commission and used for the purpose of contributing to the
preservation of freedom and financing veterans' outreach and
educational programs.

The Director of the Department of Revenue is required to deposit
all amounts received or designated to the fund which include
grants, gifts, appropriations, and federal moneys.  Funds
appropriated by the General Assembly can only be used for
conducting veterans' outreach and educational activities.
Unexpended balances remaining in the fund will not revert to the
General Revenue Fund.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Effect on General Revenue Fund of an
income of $0 in FY 2005, an income of $0 to a cost of Unknown in
FY 2006, and an income of $0 to a cost of Unknown in FY 2007.  No
impact on Other State Funds in FY 2005, FY 2006, and FY 2007.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that each year, as more Missouri
veterans die, there is a loss of valuable historical, social, and
military information from the life stories of the veterans.  It
is important to record and preserve these stories for historical
and research purposes. The Library of Congress has a similar
program, and it is important to establish a program in Missouri
which can be used for educational and outreach purposes in local
communities and in public schools.

Testifying for the bill was Senator Yeckel.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:16 am