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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
appropriation; veterans' services; benefits counselors
Purpose
Appropriates $948,400 from the state General Fund (state GF) in FY 2022 to the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services (ADVS) to hire additional benefits counselors.
Background
ADVS provides services to veterans through 19 different offices. Veteran benefit counselors provide services to veterans, dependents of veterans and their survivors on federal and state benefits earned during service in the armed forces. Services of veteran benefit counselors include: 1) processing compensations and pension applications; 2) appealing decisions from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; 3) filing for survivor's death benefits; 4) applying for aid and attendance and housebound benefits; 5) certifying claim documents; 6) requesting military service records; 7) upgrading military discharges; 8) applying for special veteran license plates; and 9) providing information and assisting with other questions. Additionally, veteran benefit counselors inform veterans about beneficial laws enacted at the federal, state or local level and collect information relating to services and facilities available to veterans (A.R.S. § 41-603).
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee baseline includes $2,934,400 and 57 FTEs from the state GF in FY 2022 for Veterans' Benefit Counseling (JLBC).
H.B. 2706 appropriates $948,400 from the state GF in FY 2022 to ADVS.
Provisions
1. Appropriates $948,400 from the state GF in FY 2022 to ADVS to hire additional benefits counselors.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
MAPS 2/8/21 DP 13-0-0-1
APPROP 2/10/21 DP 13-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/23/21 56-3-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 12, 2021
LMM/gs