ANNUAL COAST GUARD COMMEMORATION

Senate Bill 194 as passed by the Senate

Sponsor: Sen. Valde Garcia

House Committee:  Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security

Senate Committee:  Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs

First Analysis (3-2-05)

BRIEF SUMMARY: The bill would amend the Armed Forces Commemoration Act to change the annual commemoration date for the United States Coast Guard from August 14 to August 4.

FISCAL IMPACT: The bill would have no fiscal impact on the state or on local units of government.

THE APPARENT PROBLEM:

The Armed Forces Commemoration Act, Public Act 402 of 2004, recognizes the men and women who served in the various branches of the United States armed forces.  Under the act, the date of the founding of each branch must be commemorated and the flag of each branch must be flown over the State Capitol annually on its commemoration date.  When the act was passed it contained the wrong date for the founding of the United States Coast Guard, and a bill has been introduced to correct the error.

THE CONTENT OF THE BILL:

The bill would amend the Armed Forces Commemoration Act (MCL 435.342) to change the annual commemoration date for the United States Coast Guard from August 14 to August 4.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The Army is commemorated on June 14; the Air Force on September 18; the Navy on October 13; and the Marine Corps on November 10.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ACTION:

The House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security made no changes to the bill; it was reported in the same form as it passed the Senate.

ARGUMENTS:

For:

The bill is merely a technical amendment to correct an error in a law enacted in 2004.

POSITIONS:

The Military Order of the Purple Heart indicated support of the bill to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security.  (3-1-05)

The Disabled American Veterans indicated support for the bill.  (3-1-05)

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Chris Couch

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Jan Wisniewski

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.