0959: SUMMARY OF DIFFERENCES (Date Completed: 5-2-12) - FY 2012-13 MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS BUDGET

FY 2012-13 MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS BUDGET S.B. 959 (S-1): SUMMARY OF DIFFERENCES

FY 2012-13 Senate-Passed Gross Appropriation.................................................................

$168,573,600

House Changes to Senate-Passed:
1. Armory Maintenance. The House reduced the amount of additional funds proposed by the Governor and Senate for ongoing appropriations for the maintenance of armories.	(446,800)
2. Armory Maintenance (one-time basis appropriation). The House added an additional amount over the Governor's and the Senate's recommendation for one-time maintenance appropriations, with the additional funding coming from new IDG funds from the Department of Human Services.	324,800
3. Veterans Advice Advocacy and Assistance Grants. The House provided for no change from current year in the amount appropriated for grants, while the Senate followed the Governor's recommendation and shifted $125,000 GF/GP from the line for other purposes, and also pulled another $200 GF/GP for two placeholder appropriations.	125,200
4. Youth Challenge Program. The House did not include an additional $734,400 in school aid revenue and 15.0 FTEs to provide for full classes for the program as the Senate did.	(734,400)
5. Special Maintenance—Grand Rapids Veterans Home. The House included new IDG funds from the Department of Human Services for maintenance and repair projects at the home.	4,440,000
6. Special Maintenance—D.J. Jacobetti Veterans Home. The House included new IDG funds from the Department of Human Services for maintenance and repair projects at the home.	1,560,000
7. Veterans Advice, Advocacy and Assistance Grants (one time basis appropriation). The House included a one-time appropriation for the program of $2.0 million in new IDG funds from the Department of Human Services.	2,000,000
8. Michigan Veterans Coalition Initiatives. The House included a one-time appropriation for the program which would involve a number of projects including targeting college campuses for services, the funds for which would come from new IDG funds from the Department of Human Services.	1,675,000
9. Pilot Grant for County Incentive-Accredited Veterans Service Officers. The House included a placeholder appropriation for a program which would assist county counselors in the State to become accredited with the U.S. Veterans Administration to represent veterans in benefit cases.	100
10. Department Data Upgrades and Digitalization of Records. The House included a placeholder appropriation for a project which would provide data upgrades and the digitization of medical and military records of veterans.	100
11. Veterans Service Organizations Technology Assistance. The House did not include the Senate appropriations placeholder for funds to provide technology upgrades for services to veterans.	(100)
12. Veterans Service Organizations College Initiative. The House did not include the Senate appropriations placeholder for funds for a project to provide assistance to veterans on college campuses.	(100)

Total Changes.....................................................................................................................	$8,943,800
FY 2012-13 House-Passed Gross Appropriation..................................................................	$177,517,400

FY 2012-13 MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS BUDGET BOILERPLATE HIGHLIGHTS

Changes from FY 2012-13 Senate-Passed:

1. Expenditure Website. The House retained language which the Senate deleted which requires that a searchable website be maintained by the Department on data pertaining to expenditures, personnel, wages, purchases, and vendors. (Sec. 207)

2. Internet Availability of Required Reports. The House retained language which the Senate deleted which requires that the Internet be used to fulfill reporting requirements. (Sec. 208)

3. Information Technology Work Projects. The House retained language which the Senate deleted which designates appropriations for Information Technology as a work project account. (Sec. 211)

4. Information Technology User Fees. The House retained language which the Senate deleted which requires payment of user fees to the DTMB for tech services. (Sec. 214)

5. Out-of-State Travel Report. The House included language which the Senate did not, which requires an out-of-state travel report. (Sec. 218)

6. State Consolidations. The House included language which the Senate did not, which requires the DMVA to cooperate with the DTMB on Statewide office consolidation efforts. (Sec. 219)

7. National Guard Armories. The House did not include Senate-added language which requires the Department to establish a system which measures condition and usefulness of facilities and upgrades 15 armories marked "red" for severe repair needs to "yellow" or "green" labeled facilities. (Sec. 302)

8. Veterans Advice, Advocacy and Assistance Grants. The House did not include Senate-added language which requires the Department to increase the percent of veterans who become aware of benefits for education, job training, and employment placement services. (Sec. 401)

9. State Veterans' Homes. The House deleted language which referred to the number of potential beds available and the Senate revised the language referring to the number of potential beds by changing that number to that which is the minimum capacity. (Sec. 501)

10. Anticipated Appropriations for FY 2013-14. The House and Senate both included language to address appropriations for FY 2013-14, but the House did not include Senate language requiring the Department to identify and upgrade 15 red armories to yellow or green condition status. (Sec. 1201)

Date Completed: 5-2-12 Fiscal Analyst: Bruce Baker

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.