MODIFY VETERANS WELCOME HOME ACT

Senate Bill 52 as passed by the Senate

Sponsor:  Sen. Jim Stamas

House Committee:  Military and Veterans Affairs

Senate Committee:  Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security

Complete to 3-14-15

                                                                                                (Enacted as Public Act 38 of 2015)

SUMMARY:

Senate Bill 52 would amend the Veterans Welcome Home Act to require that the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency develop and send a welcome home letter to all returning veterans that would include a list of all state-funded veterans services organizations.  The bill would take effect 90 days after it is enacted into law.

This would replace the original language of the act, enacted in 2008, that imposes a similar requirement on what was then the Department of Labor and Economic Growth. 

The bill would retain the provision that requires that the list of services be ordered by the amount of state funding, with the highest-funded service organization first and the others in descending order.

The Veterans Affairs Agency is located within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.  See the agency website at:

http://www.michigan.gov/dmva/0,4569,7-126-2362---.html

MCL 35.1232

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would impose a minimal fiscal impact on the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The department estimates that assuming responsibility for sending the welcome home letters to veterans would increase costs by about $15,000 annually.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   E. Best

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Perry Zielak

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