Assigned to APPROP                                                                                                             FOR COMMITTEE

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2139

appropriation; veterans' services; benefits counselors

Purpose

            Appropriates $474,200 from the state General Fund (state GF) in FY 2021 to the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services (ADVS) to hire additional benefits counselors.

Background

ADVS assists veterans, their families and dependents in presenting, providing and establishing claims, privileges, rights and benefits veterans may have under federal, state or local law (A.R.S. § 41-603).

            Veterans' benefits counselors (VBCs) give information, counseling and assistance to veterans, their dependents and survivors in matters pertaining to federal and state benefits earned by honorable service in the armed forces of the United States (ADVS).

            H.B. 2139 appropriates $474,200 from the state GF in FY 2021 to ADVS to hire additional VBCs.

Provisions

1. Appropriates $474,200 from the state GF in FY 2021 to ADVS to hire additional VBCs.

2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.

House Action

MVA               1/27/20      DP        7-0-0-0

APPROP         2/12/20      DPA     10-0-0-1

3^rd Read          2/27/20                   59-1-0

Prepared by Senate Research

March 13, 2020

LMM/TSII/kja