NOTE: This is important pending legislation affecting YOU. Contact your stat rep. and/or senator and let them know how you feel!!
ADVS State Veteran
Legislation Update
2 April 2010
Inclusion
of any legislation in this report does not constitute endorsement of that
legislation by the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services.
(Notations in Red represent new information or
final action.)
Next week
(5-10 April) will be last week for legislative committee hearings this
session. Except for certain exceptions
that will become known, those bills that fail to have a hearings in both House
and Senate will essentially be dead.
ARIZONA SENATE
SB
1002- special license plates; fees ***
Would make free of charge veteran license plates with
the international symbol of access for 100% VA rated disabled veterans or
veterans determined unemployable as a result of a service related disability.
Would make Gold Star Family special license plates
free of charge.
Would eliminate the fund created to maintain the
Enduring Freedom Memorial using monies from sale of Gold Star Family special
license plates.
Original Sponsor:
Sen. Jim Waring
(R-Dist. 7)
Latest
Major Action: 13 January, 2010, given
“do pass” recommendation in Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs,
7-0. 21 January 2010; Floor
amendment adopted adding Emergency Clause, given “Do Pass Amended”
recommendation in Senate Committee of the Whole. 25 January 2010; passed
in Senate, 28-0-2 not voting and transmitted to the House.
SB
1068 military overseas voting; ballot
arguments ***
Will allow absent uniformed services or overseas voters to designate the
means of communication for receiving voting materials from county
recorders. The means are internet, fax
or other electronic means or by post.
County recorders will have 24 hours after receiving such requests to
forward an official early ballot to such voters and provide a means for the
voter to verify their ballot has been received at no cost to the voter.
Original Sponsor:
Sen. Jonathan
Paton (R-Dist.30)
Latest Major Action: 25 January 2010; given “Do Pass” recommendation
in Senate Judiciary Committee, 7-0.
SB 1226 technical correction; timeshares NOW: servicemembers; jury
duty; exemption ***
Would exempt servicemembers serving on Active Duty outside the state from
Arizona jury
duty.
Original Sponsor:
Sen. Meg Burton
Cahill (D-Dist.17)
Latest Major Action: 11 February 2010; Burton Cahill strike everything
amendment adopted in Senate Government Committee. Bill given a “Do Pass Amended” recommendation
6-0.
18 February 2010; given
“Do Pass Amended” recommendation in the Committee of the Whole Senate. 22 February 2010; passed full
Senate by a 29-0 vote with 1 not voting.
Transmitted to the House. 8 March 2010; first read and assigned to House
Committee on Military Affairs and Public Safety and House Rules Committee.
SB
1263 high schools; military recruiting;
form ***
Would extend to charter schools the authorized disclosure of high school
student’s information to military recruiters.
Original Sponsor:
Sen. Jonathan
Paton (R-Dist.30)
Latest Major Action: 3 February 2010; given “Do Pass Amended”
recommendation in Senate Education Committee by 5-2 vote. 11 February 2010; retained
on the Committee of the Whole Senate calendar. 2 March 2010; given “Do Pass Amended” recommendation in
Committee of the Whole Senate. 3 March 2010; passed
by full Senate 23-5-1 not
voting and transmitted to the House.
SB
1350 military affairs commission
Revamps and combines the statutory and Governor’s Military Affairs
Commission. Also would remove the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services from the
process of acquiring real estate, property rights and related infrastructure
and then transferring those to the state land department for the purpose of
preserving or enhancing Arizona military
installations.
Original Sponsor:
Sen. John
Nelson(R-Dist.12) et al
Latest
Major Action: 3 February 2010, assigned
to Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee and Senate Rules Committee. 24
February 2010; given “Do Pass” recommendation in the Senate
Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, 6-0 with 1 not voting. 1 March
2010; given a “Proper For Consideration” recommendation
in Senate Rules Committee. 18 March
2010; Nelson Floor amendment adopted. Given “Do Pass Amended” recommendation in
Committee of the Whole Senate. 22 March
2010; passed full Senate 29-0-1 not voting and
transmitted to the House. 7 April
2010; hearing scheduled in House Military Affairs and Public
Safety Committee, 9 am, HHR 3.
SB
1354 auto title loans; military members ***
Would limit the annual percentage rate of
interest on secondary auto loans to a military member to 36 percent.
Original Sponsor:
Sen. Debbie
McCune Davis (D-Dist.14)
Latest Major Action: 3 February 2010, assigned to Senate Veterans and
Military Affairs Committee and Senate Rules Committee. 23 February 2010; given a
“Do Pass Amended” recommendation in the Senate Commerce and Economic
Development Committee 7-0-1. 15 March
2010; passed out of Senate Rules Committee. 22 March 2010; passed
full Senate 29-0-1 not voting and transmitted to the House. 30 March 2010; assigned to House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee; House Commerce Committee and House Rules Committee.
SB
1410- state lands; military installation
preservation ***
Subject
to voter approval, constitutionally authorizes conveyance of trust land or
interests in trust land without auction or advertisement. Also
provides for exchanges of trust land. Both actions must be related to
preserving and protecting Arizona military installations
from encroaching development. Establishes the State Trust Land
Review Committee and revises the process to review and evaluate proposed land
exchanges. Contains a conditional enactment clause, which requires an amendment
of the Constitution of Arizona at the general election in November, 2010 for
the provisions of the bill to become effective.
Original Sponsor:
Sen. John Nelson
(R-Dist. 12)
Latest
Major Action: 18 March 2010; Given
“Do Pass Amended” recommendation in Committee of the Whole Senate. 22 March 2010; passed
full Senate 29-0-1 not voting and transmitted to the House. 30 March
2010; assigned to House Committee on Natural Resources and Rural
Affairs (No meeting scheduled) and House Rules Committee.
SCR
1004- cold war victory day
A concurrent resolution expressing the gratitude of
the legislature to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served
during the Cold War and proclaiming each May 1st as “Cold War
Victory Day” in Arizona.
Original Sponsor:
Sen. Jack Harper
(R-Dist. 4), et al
Latest
Major Action: 13 January, 2010, given
“do pass” recommendation in Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs,
7-0. 21 January 2010; technical
amendment adopted and given “Do Pass Amended” recommendation in Committee of
the Whole. 25
January 2010; passed in full Senate 27-1-2 not voting and transmitted to the House. 17 March 2010; given “Do Pass”
recommendation in the House Committee on Military Affairs and Public Safety 6-1-1 absent.
SCR 1005- Ronald
Reagan day ***
A concurrent resolution recognizing each February 6th
as Ronald Reagan Day and John Fitzgerald Kennedy Day each May 29 in Arizona.
Original Sponsor:
Sen. Jack Harper
(R-Dist. 4), et al
Latest Major Action: 21 January 2010, given “Do Pass” recommendation
in Senate Committee on Government Institutions by 8-0 vote. 28 January 2010; Cheuvront
Floor Amendment adopted also creating a John Fitzgerald Kennedy Day each May 29
and given a “Do Pass Amended” recommendation in the Committee of the
Whole Senate. 2
February 2010; passed full Senate 28-0 and transmitted to the
House. 16 March 2010; held in
House Government Committee. 6 April
2010; hearing scheduled in House Government Committee, 2 pm, HHR 4. A strike everything amendment will be
offered to change it into exemptions; punitive damages; schools; teachers.
SCR
1047- state lands; military installation
preservation ***
Subject
to voter approval, constitutionally authorizes conveyance of trust land or
interests in trust land without auction or advertisement. Also
provides for exchanges of trust land. Both actions must be related to
preserving and protecting Arizona military installations
from encroaching development.
Original Sponsor:
Sen. John Nelson
(R-Dist. 12)
Latest
Major Action: 22 February 2010; given
“Do Pass” recommendation in Senate Natural Resources, Infrastructure &
Public Debt Committee 5-0 with 2 not voting. 8 March 2010; out of
Senate Rules Committee. 18 March
2010; given “Do Pass Amended” recommendation in
Committee of the Whole Senate. 22 March 2010; passed
full Senate 29-0-1 not voting and transmitted to the House. 30 March 2010; first read in House and
assigned to the House Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Public
Debt and House Rules Committee.
SCR 1056- Vietnam veterans’ memorial day
A concurrent resolution proclaiming each March 29th as
Arizona Vietnam Veteran’s Day.
Original Sponsor:
Sen. Ron Gould
(R-Dist. 3) et al
Latest
Major Action: 2 February 2010; first read. 4
February 2010; assigned to Senate Veterans and Military Affairs
Committee and Senate Rules Committee. 24 February 2010; Burton
Cahill amendment to make EVERY March 29th Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial
Day in Arizona adopted. Bill given “Do Pass Amended” recommendation
6-0 with 1 not voting. 18 March 2010; given “Do Pass Amended” recommendation in
Committee of the Whole Senate. 22 March
2010; passed full Senate 29-0-1 not voting and
transmitted to the House. 23 March
2010; first read in House and assigned to House
Committee on Military Affairs and Public Safety and House Rules Committee. 31 March
2010; Weiers amendment making the day “Arizona Vietnam Veterans Day” and
dropping the word “memorial” was adopted.
Resolution given a “Do Pass Amended” recommendation in House Committee
on Military Affairs and Public Safety, 7-0.
ARIZONA HOUSE
HB
2188 state trust lands;
veterans cemeteries
A bill
that would require the Arizona Land Department to make available state trust
land for state veterans’ cemeteries up to 250 acres each in locations chosen by
the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services. House Rules amendment places
conditional enactment dependant on passage of HCR 2007 and
the amendment of Article X, Arizona Constitution, to provide for the leasing of
state trust lands for veterans’ cemeteries.
Original Sponsor:
Rep. Jerry
Weiers (R-Dist. 12) et al
Latest
Major Action: 20 January 2010; given a
“Do Pass” recommendation in House Committee on Military Affairs and Public
Safety vote of 6-0 and 2 absent. 8
February 2010; Nichols amendment adopted in House Rules Committee
to add conditional enactment clause only if HCR 2007
passes by voters. Passed out of Rules
amended, 6-0 vote. 11
February 2010; given a “Do Pass Amended” recommendation in the
Committee of the Whole House. 16 February 2010; passed
full House 53-5 with 1 not voting and transmitted to the Senate. 22 February 2010; first read in senate and
assigned to Senate. 23 February 2010; assigned
to Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee and Senate Rules
Committee. 17 March 2010; held in the Senate Veterans and Military
Affairs Committee. 22 March 2010; withdrawn
from Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee and assigned to Senate
Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Public Debt. 5 April 2010; hearing scheduled in
Senate Committee on Natural Resources,
Infrastructure and Public Debt, 1.30
p.m., SHR 109. Strike everything amendment, same subject
will be offered.
HB
2195 veterans’ services;
military installation fund (NOW: charitable organizations; pull tab games)
Will
create a special “pull tab” type of game under the Arizona Lottery for
charitable veterans’ service and fraternal organizations.
Original Sponsor:
Rep. Jerry
Weiers (R-Dist. 12) et al
Latest
Major Action: Another bill
has been introduced to give the duties over to The Adjutant General’s office. See SB 1350. 10 February 2010; received a “Do Pass”
recommendation in House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee 8-0. 3 March 2010; passed
full House 60-0 and transmitted to the Senate. 4 March 2010; First read in the Senate. 24 March 2010; A “strike everything” amendment
was adopted in Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee turning this bill
into a bill that will create a special “pull tab” type of game under the
Arizona Lottery for veterans’ service and fraternal organizations. Bill was
given a “Do Pass Amended” recommendation by the committee 6-0. 31 March
2010; given “Proper For Consideration” recommendation in Senate
Rules Committee. 1 April 2010; heard in Senate caucuses.
HB 2198 military family relief fund
Would expand assistance from the fund to the families of deployed Arizona military members who
face economic hardship. Currently, the
law limits fund assistance to the families of deployed Arizona military members
killed, wounded, injured or who suffer serious injury or illness while deployed. Would also allow the Department of Veterans’
Services to hire an administrative person for the fund and the committee that
oversees the fund.
Original Sponsor:
Rep. Jerry
Weiers (R-Dist. 12) et al
Latest
Major Action: 20 January 2010; assigned
to House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee and House Government
Committee and House Rules Committee. 10 February 2010; received a “Do Pass”
recommendation in House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee 8-0. 18 March 2010; Weiers
floor amendment adopted expanding eligibility for the fund and allowing the
Department of Veterans’ Services to hire an administrative person for the fund
and the committee that oversees the fund.
Given “Do Pass Amended” recommendation by Committee of the Whole House. 23 March 2010; passed
by full House 54-0-6 not voting and transmitted to the Senate. 24 March
2010; first read in Senate. 25 March 2010; assigned to Senate Veterans and Military
Affairs Committee and Senate Rules Committee. 7 April 2010; hearing scheduled in Senate Veterans and
Military Affairs Committee, 1.30 pm, SHR.
HB 2199 state contracts; participation goals; veterans
Would require 1.5% of state contracts be awarded to veteran owned
businesses in first year increasing to 3 % after the first year.
Original Sponsor:
Rep. Jerry
Weiers (R-Dist. 12) et al
Latest
Major Action: 19
January 2010, assigned to House Military Affairs and Public
Safety Committee and House Government Committee and House Rules Committee. 3 February 2010; given
“Do Pass” recommendation in House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee. 18 February 2010; withdrawn from House Government
Committee, pending House Rules agenda. 8 March 2010; out of House Rules Committee. 25 March
2010; Weiers floor amendment adopted and given a “Do Pass Amended”
recommendation by Committee of the Whole House.
HB
2348 veterans; disability
benefits
Would exempt federal disability benefits for service connected veterans
from seizure or from being considered when deciding spousal maintenance.
Original Sponsor:
Rep. Frank
Antenori (R-Dist. 30) et al
Latest
Major Action: 19 January 2010, assigned
to House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee, House Judiciary
Committee and House Rules Committee. 27 January 2010; given
“Do Pass” recommendation in House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee,
8-0. 22 February 2010; withdrawn from House Judiciary
Committee. 2 March 2010; through House Rules Committee and placed on
House consent calendar. 22 March
2010; passed by full House 58-0-2 not voting and
transmitted to the Senate. 23 March
2010; first read in Senate, assigned to Senate Veterans
and Military Affairs Committee and Senate Rules Committee. 31 March 2010; given a “Do Pass”
recommendation in the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee 5-0-2 not
voting.
HB
2350 Purple Heart recipients; tuition
waiver
Would waive Arizona university tuition for recipients
of the Purple Heart Medal whose disability from those wounds for which the
medal was received is fifty percent or higher.
Original Sponsor:
Rep. Frank
Antenori (R-Dist. 30) et al
Latest
Major Action: 20 January 2010, assigned
to House Education Committee, House Appropriations Committee and House Rules
Committee. 1 February 2010; given
“Do Pass” recommendation in House Education Committee by a 8-0 and 2 absent
vote. 23 March 2010;
withdrawn from House Appropriations Committee. 1 April 2010; passed by full House 54-0-6 not voting
and transmitted to the Senate. 7 April 2010; hearing scheduled in Senate Committee on
Veterans and Military Affairs, 1.30 pm, SHR 2.
HB 2400 burial duties; service member remains
Would make it the responsibility of a person designated to bury a service
member killed while on duty in a method that the deceased wishes as outlined in
the servicemember’s DD Form 93. This is
supported by DOD to have a uniform policy across the nation.
Original Sponsor:
Rep. Kyrsten
Sinema (D-Dist. 15) et al
Latest
Major Action: 19 January 2010; assigned
to the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee and the House Rules
Committee. 24 February 2010; given a
“Do Pass” recommendation in House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee 7-0
vote. 8 March 2010; out of House
Rules Committee, 8-0. 25 March
2010; passed full House 55-0-5 not voting and
transmitted to the Senate. 29 March
2010; assigned to Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee
and Senate Rules Committee. 7 April 2010; hearing scheduled in Senate Committee on
Veterans and Military Affairs, 1.30 pm, SHR 2.
HB
2427 military overseas voting; ballot
arguments
Will allow absent uniformed services or overseas voters to designate the
means of communication for receiving voting materials from county
recorders. The means are internet, fax
or other electronic means or by post.
County recorders will have 24 hours after receiving such requests to
forward an official early ballot to such voters and provide a means for the
voter to verify their ballot has been received at no cost to the voter.
Original Sponsor:
Rep. Adam Driggs
(R-Dist. 11) et al
Latest
Major Action: 21
January 2010; given a “Do Pass” recommendation in House Committee
on Judiciary, 6-0 and 2 absent. 25 January 2010; placed
on House consent calendar.
2 February
2010; passed in full House 57-0 and 2 not voting and
transmitted to the Senate. 4
February 2010; third read in Senate. Motion to substitute HB 2427 for SB 1031. Motion carried
24-0-4 not voting. 8 February 2010; transmitted to the Governor. 11 February 2010;
signed by Governor.
HB 2539 employment; absence for military duties
Will include members of the Reserve Forces in the employment protections
currently offered to members of the National Guard. It would require county attorneys to
prosecute violations by employers.
Original Sponsor:
Rep. David Gowan
(R-Dist.30) et al
Latest Major Action: 25 January 2010; assigned to the House Military
Affairs and Public Safety Committee and the House Rules Committee. 3
February 2010; given “Do Pass” recommendation in House Military
Affairs 7-0 with 1 absent. 8
February 2010; Passed out of Rules Committee 7-1. 16 February 2010; passed
by full House 54-4 and 1 not voting and transmitted to the Senate. 23 February 2010; assigned
to the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee and the Senate Rules
Committee. 17 March 2010; given a “Do Pass”
recommendation in the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee 5-2.
HB 2541 military duty; unemployment insurance
Would not allow unemployment benefits paid to a person whose employment
was terminated because that individual’s employer was called to active military
duty or whose employment was terminated due to the return to work of an
individual from active military duty to be used as a factor in determining the
future contribution rate of the employer from whose employment the individual
was terminated.
Original Sponsor:
Rep. David Gowan
(R-Dist.30) et al
Latest Major Action: 25 January 2010; assigned to the House Military
Affairs and Public Safety Committee, the House Commerce Committee and the House
Rules Committee. 3 February 2010; given
“Do Pass” recommendation in House Military Affairs 7-0 with 1 absent. 2 March 2010; through
House Rules Committee and placed on House consent calendar. 22 March 2010; passed
full House 57-1-2 not voting and transmitted to the Senate. 23 March 2010; first read in Senate and assigned to the
Senate Commerce and Economic Development Committee and Senate Rules Committee. 6 April 2010; hearing scheduled in Senate Committee on
Commerce and Economic Development, 1.30 pm, SHR 1.
HB 2603 state lottery; special game;
veterans ***
Would establish
a new lottery game each year with the proceeds going to the Arizona Veterans’
Donation Fund to be used at the discretion of the Director of the Arizona
department of veterans’ Services for the benefit of veterans cemeteries in this
state.
Original Sponsor:
Rep. Jerry
Weiers (R-Dist. 12) et al
Latest Major Action: 28
January 2010; assigned to the House Military Affairs and Public
Safety Committee, the House Commerce Committee and the House Rules Committee. 10
February 2010; given “Do Pass” recommendation in House Military
Affairs and Public Safety Committee, 7-0 with 1 not voting. 15 February 2010;
withdrawn from House Commerce Committee. 22 March 2010; out of House Rules Committee
7-0-1 not voting.
HB 2684 POW/MIA flag; display
Would require
the POW/MIA flag to be displayed with the National flag at the state capitol,
superior court buildings, city or town halls, and buildings serving as a
county’s main administrative buildings.
Original Sponsor:
Rep. David Gowan
(R-Dist. 30) et al
Latest Major Action: 17
February 2010; given “Do Pass” recommendation in House Military
Affairs and Public Safety Committee, 8-0. 22 February 2010; out of House Rules Committee 8-0,
placed on House consent calendar. 3 March 2010; Third
Read, passed full House 55-4-1 not voting and transmitted to the Senate. 4 March 2010; First
read in the Senate. 17 March 2010; given a “Do Pass” recommendation in the
Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee 7-0.
HCM 2008 honor and remember flag
A concurrent memorial supporting the
passage of H.R. 1034 in Congress designating the Honor and Remember Flag as an
official symbol to recognize and honor members of the United States Armed
Forces who have died in the line of duty.
Original Sponsor:
Rep. Frank
Antenori (R-Dist. 30) et al
Latest Major Action: 25 January 2010; assigned
to the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee and the House Rules
Committee. 10 February 2010; given
“Do Pass” recommendation in House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee,
8-0. 24 February 2010; passed out of full House by a 57-0
and 3 not voting vote and transmitted to the Senate. 25 February 2010; first
read in Senate. 2 March 2010; second
read and assigned to Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee and Senate
Rules Committee. 17 March 2010; given a “Do Pass” recommendation in the
Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee 7-0.
HCR 2007 state trust lands; veterans’ cemeteries
Would ask
voters to amend Article X, Arizona Constitution, to provide for the leasing of
state trust lands for veterans’ cemeteries.
Original Sponsor:
Rep. Jerry
Weiers (R-Dist. 12)
Latest
Major Action: Wednesday, 20 January 2010, given a
“Do Pass” recommendation in House Committee on Military Affairs and Public
Safety vote of 6-0-2 absent. 8 February 2010; Nichols
amendment adopted in House Rules Committee addressing concern over State
Enabling Act. Passed out of Rules
amended, 6-0-2 present vote. 18
February 2010; given “Do Pass Amended” recommendation in
Committee of the Whole House. 29 March 2010; passed full House 56-0-4 not voting and
transmitted to the Senate. 5
April 2010; hearing scheduled in Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Public Debt, 1.30 p.m., SHR 109. Strike everything amendment, same subject
will be offered.
HCR 2026 Navajo code talkers
To
recognize the enormous contributions of the Navajo Code Talkers to American
history and military success, and support the preservation of the Navajo Code
Talkers' remarkable legacy.
Original Sponsor:
Rep. Christopher
Clark Deschene (D-Dist. 2)
Latest
Major Action: 25 January 2010; first
read in House. 31 March 2010; unanimously adopted by House and
transmitted to the Senate. 1
April 2010;
unanimously adopted by Senate and transmitted to the Secretary of State.
HCR 2035 supporting honor and remember flag
A concurrent resolution supporting
the passage of H.R. 1034 in Congress designating the Honor and Remember Flag as
an official symbol to recognize and honor members of the United States Armed
Forces who have died in the line of duty.
Original Sponsor:
Rep. Frank
Antenori (R-Dist. 30) et al
Latest
Major Action: 25
January 2010; assigned to House Military Affairs and Public
Safety Committee and House Rules Committee. 27 January 2010; given “Do Pass” recommendation
in House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee, 8-0. 15
February 2010; placed on House consent calendar.
HCR 2064 death
resolution; Geronimo
A concurrent memorial stating that the members of the Arizona Legislature
recognize the 100th anniversary of the death of Apache leader
Geronimo who played such a large part in the military history of Arizona.
Original Sponsor:
Rep. Edward Ableser (D-Dist. 17) and all House members
Latest
Major Action: 17 February 2010; unanimously adopted by
House.