Date: 02/17/2014

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB14-1205

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 14-1205 to the Committee on ApproPASS



02:27 PM -- HB14-1205

The committee returned to order. Representative Ryden, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 14-1205 concerning the Veterans Assistance Grant Program. The bill creates the Veterans Assistance Grant Program within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). The program will provide financial assistance to nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies providing services to improve the health and well-being of veterans in the state. On or before September 1, 2014, the Adjutant General, in consultation with the Board of Veterans Affairs, will adopt rules to administer the program. The bill also creates the Veterans Grant Program Cash Fund, which may receive gifts, grants, and donations, in addition to annual appropriations from the General Assembly. All excess funds will remain in the cash fund at the end of each fiscal year. The program and cash fund are repealed on September 1, 2024.

Representative Ryden expressed concern about the fiscal note and distributed a document from the Joint Budget Committee Staff budget briefing for FY 2014-15 (Attachment C). She announced her intention to take testimony on the bill and lay it over for action to give her time to work on an amendment regarding the fiscal impact.

14HseState0217AttachC.pdf14HseState0217AttachC.pdf

02:31 PM -- James Bobick, representing the United Veterans Committee (UVC), testified in support of the bill. Mr. Bobick spoke about the current process of awarding Veterans Assistance Grants. He talked about vetting grant applicants. He commented that the federal government does not come close to taking care of all veterans and asked for the state's assistance. He indicated that Veterans Assistance Grants are used to fill gaps left by Tobacco Settlement Funds.

02:37 PM -- Frank McCurdy, representing the American Legion, testified in support of the bill. Mr. McCurdy discussed the support services provided to veterans and their families by the American Legion.

02:40 PM -- Steve Rylant, representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), testified in support of the bill. Mr. Rylant spoke about the services the VFW provides to veterans and their families. He responded to questions from the committee.

02:44 PM -- Michael Hunt, representing the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, testified in support of the bill.


02:47 PM

Representative Ryden wrapped up her presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation. She indicated that she would move the bill to the Appropriations Committee instead of laying it over.
BILL:HB14-1205
TIME: 02:50:26 PM
MOVED:Ryden
MOTION:Refer House Bill 14-1205 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 10-1.
SECONDED:Moreno
VOTE
Conti
Yes
Dore
Yes
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
No
Labuda
Yes
Melton
Yes
Moreno
Yes
Nordberg
Yes
Williams
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



02:51 PM

The committee took a brief recess.