Date: 01/20/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1058

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment D). Th
Moved to refer House Bill 09-1058, as amended, to 		Pass Without Objection
PASS



02:49 PM -- House Bill 09-1058

Representative Marostica, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1058, concerning the final disposition of the remains of veterans of the armed forces that have been abandoned. Representative Marostica discussed the effect and purpose of the bill. Representative Marostica also provided background regarding how he came to introduce the bill. Representative Marostica responded to questions regarding how an organization claiming veterans remains proves its legitimacy when claiming the remains, and how those entities that possess remains, such as funeral homes, will be made aware of the change in law made by the bill. Representative Marostica responded to further questions regarding the ability of such entities to contact organizations that will provide for a proper burial of the remains. Discussion ensued regarding the potential to amend the bill to clarify a set of particular organizations that may claim the unclaimed remains. Representative Marostica responded to questions regarding certain time periods for remains disposition contained in House Bill 09-1058.


02:59 PM

Discussion ensued regarding the ability to access military funeral benefits for unclaimed remains.


03:00 PM

The following persons testified regarding House Bill 09-1058:


03:00 PM -- Mr. Dennis Rister, representing the Missing in America Project, testified in favor of the bill. Mr. Rister explained the mission of his organization, and discussed certain incidents where the remains of military veterans have gone unclaimed. Mr. Rister then discussed the need for the bill, and the organizations that support House Bill 09-1058. Mr. Rister responded to questions regarding military funeral benefits that are available for the final disposition of unclaimed remains, and efforts on the part of organizations that provide for the final disposition of veterans remains to provide for such disposition for the remains of veterans who served in the Civil War.


03:06 PM -- Mr. Steve Hosie, representing the Missing in America Project, testified in favor of House Bill 09-1058. Mr. Hosie discussed the need for the bill, and the position of funeral homes on handing over veterans remains to certain organizations.


03:09 PM -- Mr. Scott Riebel, representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars Warriors, testified in favor of the bill. Mr. Riebel discussed the importance of House Bill 09-1058. Mr. Riebel responded to questions regarding how similar legislation is being championed in other states. Mr. Hosie provided information on a website that provides information on similar efforts in other states.


03:14 PM

Representative Marostica discussed the effect of prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment D).


BILL:HB09-1058
TIME: 03:14:29 PM
MOVED:Todd
MOTION:Moved prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Massey
VOTE
Casso
Court
Hullinghorst
Lambert
Massey
McCann
Excused
Miklosi
Murray
Labuda
Todd
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

090120AttachD.pdf

03:15 PM

Representative Marostica provided closing remarks in favor of House Bill 09-1058.


BILL:HB09-1058
TIME: 03:15:58 PM
MOVED:Massey
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 09-1058, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole with favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a 9-0-1 roll call vote, with one committee vacancy.
SECONDED:Lambert
VOTE
Casso
Yes
Court
Yes
Hullinghorst
Yes
Lambert
Yes
Massey
Yes
McCann
Excused
Miklosi
Yes
Murray
Yes
Labuda
Yes
Todd
Yes
Final YES: 9 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




03:17 PM

The committee adjourned.