Assigned to MAPS & APPROP                                                                                        AS PASSED BY COW

 

 

 

 


ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session

 

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR h.b. 2670

 

state agencies; veterans status; inquiry

Purpose

Beginning January 1, 2024, includes the U.S. Space Force in the definition of Armed Forces of the United States. Allows the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services (ADVS) to provide burial services in state veterans' cemeteries for members of the Arizona National Guard and reserve members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Background

Duties of ADVS include informing veterans, their families and dependents, military and civilian authorities about federal, state and local laws enacted to benefit veterans and others as prescribed, as well as collecting information relating to services and facilities available to veterans and entering into agreements with veterans' organizations in Arizona holding a charter granted by the U.S. Congress for the beneficial interest of veterans (A.R.S. § 41-603).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1.   Allows ADVS to provide burial services in state veterans' cemeteries for members of the Arizona National Guard and reserve members of the U.S. Armed Forces if the member's service was terminated under honorable conditions, subject to legislative appropriation and as authorized by the Burial Equity for Guards and Reserves Act.

2.   Includes the U.S. Space Force in the definition of Armed Forces of the United States.

3.   Makes technical and conforming changes.

4.   Becomes effective on January 1, 2024.

Amendments Adopted by the Military Affairs, Public Safety and Border Security Committee

1.   Allows ADVS to provide burial services in state veterans' cemeteries for members of the Arizona National Guard and reserve members of the U.S. Armed Forces if the member's service was terminated under honorable conditions, subject to legislative appropriation and as authorized by the Burial Equity for Guards and Reserves Act.

2.   Appropriates $15,000 from the state GF to ADVS in FY 2024 for costs associated with providing burial services in state veterans' cemeteries.

3.   Removes the requirement for all state agencies to ask all individuals, either at the initial point of service or on an application form, if the individual or a family member has served in the military, and to provide all those that answer in the affirmative with specified information.

Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole

· Removes the $50,000 appropriation and the $15,000 appropriation.

House Action                                                           Senate Action

MAPS             2/13/23      DPA    15-0-0-0             MAPS             3/29/23      DPA       7-0-0

3rd Read          3/8/32                    53-5-2                 APPROP         4/4/23        DP          8-2-0

Prepared by Senate Research

June 26, 2023

ZD/sr