Date: 01/21/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1052

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 15-1052 to the Committee on ApproPASS



09:47 AM -- HB15-1052

Representative Ryden asked the members of the committee to introduce themselves. They did so.


09:51 AM

Representatives Carver and Melton, co-sponsors, presented House Bill 15-1052. Under current law, a member of the Colorado National Guard must be involuntarily mobilized for at least 30 days on active military duty, or called to state active duty by executive order of the Governor, for the member or his or her family to be eligible for a grant from the Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF). By eliminating the requirement that mobilization orders be involuntary, this bill expands grant eligibility to all members of the Colorado National Guard subject to active military duty for a minimum of 30 days.

09:55 AM -- Dennis McCormack, representing The Home Front Cares, testified in support of the bill. Mr. McCormack spoke about his experience as an Army chief warrant officer in combat. He discussed his work upon his retirement from the Army. He talked about the difficulties faced by deployed soldiers when they return home. He listed some of the activities undertaken by The Home Front Cares to help veterans. Mr. McCormack responded to questions from the committee about the types of assistance provided to veterans by The Home Front Cares. Representatives Carver and Melton weighed in as well.

10:10 AM -- Retired Colonel Randy Fritz, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Col. Fritz spoke about the sacrifices made by service men and women and their families. He talked about the lack of job opportunities for returning combat veterans with highly specialized skills.

10:16 AM -- Greg Dorman, representing the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Dorman explained how the bill will work in practice. He discussed some of the technical aspects of the MFRF. He responded to questions from the committee.


10:23 AM

Representatives Carver and Melton wrapped up their presentation and asked for a favorable recommendation.
BILL:HB15-1052
TIME: 10:25:20 AM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1052 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 11-0.
SECONDED:Humphrey
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
Yes
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Willett
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



10:30 AM

Representative Ryden reminded the committee that January 30 is Military Appreciation Day.


10:31 AM

The committee adjourned.