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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
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 and appropriates $50,000 to the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services (ADVS) for costs associated with including the U.S. Space Force as an enumerated branch. 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, and appropriates $15,000 to ADVS for costs associated with providing burial services.
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).
H.B. 2670 appropriates $65,000 from the state General Fund (state GF) to ADVS in FY 2024.
Provisions
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. Includes the U.S. Space Force in the definition of Armed Forces of the United States.
4. Appropriates $50,000 from the state GF to ADVS in FY 2024 for costs associated with including the U.S. Space Force as an enumerated branch.
5. Makes technical and conforming changes.
6. 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.
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
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