MI VETERANS' TRUST FUND BOARD S.B. 798: FLOOR SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 798 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator John Moolenaar
Committee: Veterans, Military Affairs, and Homeland Security

CONTENT
The bill would amend the Veterans' Trust Fund law to repeal and replace provisions dealing with the establishment and operation of the Michigan Veterans' Trust Fund board of trustees and the board's establishment of veteran county committees for the administration of money allocated on the local level. The bill would take effect on January 1, 2012.


Currently, the board of trustees consists of two representatives of the American Legion, two representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of the United States, one representative of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and one representative of the American Veterans of World War II-Korean-Vietnam, to be appointed by the Governor upon recommendation of those organizations. Under the bill, members would be appointed as follows: one representative of the American Legion; one representative of the VFW; one representative of the DAV; one representative of any other Congressionally chartered veterans' organization; and three independent members who could be, but would not have to be, members of one or more Congressionally chartered veterans organizations, but who could not represent any such organization. Members would be appointed by the Governor for a three-year term.


The law requires the board of trustees to establish in the State's counties representative veteran county committees for the local administration of money allocated from the Veterans' Trust Fund, and allows the board to combine two or more counties into a district for more efficient local administration. Each veteran county or district committee must consist of one representative of the American Legion, one representative of the VFW, one representative of the DAV, and one representative of the American Veterans of World War II-Korea-Vietnam, appointed by the board upon recommendation of those organizations.


Under the bill, members would have to be appointed as follows: one representative of the American Legion; one representative of the VFW; one representative of the DAV; one representative of any other Congressionally chartered veterans' organization; and at least one independent member who could be, but would not have to be, a member of one or more Congressionally chartered veterans' organizations, but who would not represent any such organization. Members would be appointed by the board upon recommendation of the organizations they represented.


Each member of the board and each committee member would have to be a veteran and have demonstrated knowledge, skills, and experience in public service, business, or finance.


Proposed MCL 35.603b & 35.606a Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.


Date Completed: 11-9-11 Fiscal Analyst: Bruce Baker

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. sb798/1112