Bill Text - HB1568 (2010)

Relative to the definition of wars and conflicts for the purpose of determining eligibility for public assistance payments for burial expenses of veterans.


Revision: April 1, 2010, midnight

HB 1568-FN-LOCAL – VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES

03Mar2010… 0614h

2010 SESSION

10-2261

09/03

HOUSE BILL 1568-FN-LOCAL

AN ACT relative to the definition of wars and conflicts for the purpose of determining eligibility for public assistance payments for burial expenses of veterans.

SPONSORS: Rep. Emiro, Rock 3; Rep. K. Roberts, Ches 3; Rep. Theberge, Coos 4; Rep. Baldasaro, Rock 3; Sen. Barnes, Jr., Dist 17

COMMITTEE: State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

ANALYSIS

This bill redefines wars and conflicts for the purpose of determining eligibility for public assistance payments for burial expenses of veterans.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03Mar2010… 0614h

10-2261

09/03

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Ten

AN ACT relative to the definition of wars and conflicts for the purpose of determining eligibility for public assistance payments for burial expenses of veterans.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Veteran’s Relief; Definition of Terms. RSA 165:17 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

165:17 Definition of Terms. The following shall constitute wars or conflicts for purposes of RSA 165:16:

I. Any war or armed conflict that occurred between July 3, 1921 and December 6, 1941 and in which the resident earned an armed forces expeditionary medal or theater of operations service medal.

II. “World War II” between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946.

III. “Korean Conflict” between June 25, 1950 and January 31, 1955.

IV. “Vietnam Conflict” between July 1, 1958 and December 22, 1961, if the resident earned the Vietnam service medal or an armed forces expeditionary medal.

V. “Vietnam Conflict” between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975.

VI. Any war or armed conflict that has occurred between May 8, 1975 and August 1, 1990 and in which the resident earned an armed forces expeditionary medal or theater of operations service medal.

VII. “Persian Gulf War” between August 2, 1990 and the date thereafter prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by law.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBAO

10-2261

12/02/09

HB 1568-FN-LOCAL - FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT relative to the definition of wars and conflicts for the purpose of determining eligibility for public assistance payments for burial expenses of veterans.

FISCAL IMPACT:

    The Veteran’s Council and New Hampshire Municipal Association state this bill may increase local revenue and expenditures by an indeterminable amount in FY 2010 and each year thereafter. This bill will have no fiscal impact on state and county revenue or expenditures.

METHODOLOGY:

    The Veteran’s Council states this bill adds dates of current conflicts to allow eligibility under RSA 165:16 for burial of indigent veterans at the expense of the municipality in which the veteran passed away. The Council states they are unable to determine how many indigent veterans have been buried at municipal expense or will be in the future. Those who are buried at the municipality expense are eligible for $600 (subject to change) in burial benefits from United States Department of Veterans Affairs that are used to reimburse the municipality. Therefore, the Council states any fiscal impact should be minimal.

    The New Hampshire Municipal Association states this bill would expand municipal liability for indigent veteran burial expenses. The fiscal impact upon municipalities is unknown and cannot be determined at this time.