ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

House: MAPS DPA 15-0-0-0 | 3rd Read DP 53-5-0-2

Senate: MAPS DPA 7-0-0-0 | APPROP DP 8-2-0-0 | 3rd Read DPA 28-0-0-2

HB 2670: state agencies; veterans status; inquiry

Sponsor: Representative Travers, LD 12

Senate Engrossed

Overview

Requires all state agencies, boards, commissions and other administrative units of Arizona (agencies) to ask all individuals if they have served in the military, and to provide specified veteran's information for those who have. Appropriates $50,000 from the State General Fund (GF) to the Arizona Department of Veteran Services (ADVS) for specified purposes.

☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteHistory

ADVS provides services to veterans through various means including: 1) the administration of professional benefits counselors located throughout the state; 2) operating skilled-nursing veterans' home facilities to provide short-term and long-term care; and 3) operating veterans' memorial cemeteries (A.R.S. § 41-603).

The Arizona Be Connected program is a statewide effort to reduce deaths by suicide in Arizona military and veteran populations by providing support and resources (BeConnected).

Provisions

1.   Requires all agencies to ask every individual at the initial point of service, and print on each application form, the following question: Have you or a family member ever served in the military? (Sec. 3)

2.   Directs the agency to provide individuals who did serve in the military with a website address and contact information for ADVS and the Be Connected Program. (Sec. 3)

3.   Includes Space Force in the definition of Armed Forces of the United States. (Sec. 1, 2)

4.   Appropriates $50,000 from the GF to ADVS in FY 2024 for costs associated with including Space Force as an enumerated branch. (Sec. 4)

5.   Contains a delayed effective date of January 1, 2024. (Sec. 5)

Senate Amendments

1.   Removes language requiring agencies to inquire about military service and provide ADVS and Be Connected Program contact information.

2.   Removes the $50,000 appropriation for costs associated with including Space Force as an enumerated branch.

3.   Allows ADVS to provide burial services in state veterans' cemeteries for members of the Arizona National Guard and the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves.

 

 

 

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                        HB 2670

Initials NM/CV Page 0 Senate Engrossed

 

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