CCS HS SB 961 -- MILITARY AFFAIRS

This bill contains several provisions related to veterans' benefits and military affairs. In its main provisions, the bill:

(1) Allows National Guard scholarships to be used at any public or private school approved for inclusion in the Advantage Missouri Program, a loan forgiveness program aimed at encouraging students to major in areas related to occupational areas of high demand. Available federal Department of Defense educational assistance funds must be expended before funds through the National Guard Scholarship Program may be used;

(2) Requires the General Assembly to appropriate moneys to provide every eligible Missouri World War II veteran of the D-Day invasion with a replica of the 50th anniversary "Jubilee of Liberty" medal issued by France in 1994;

(3) Requires the General Assembly to participate, through appropriations, in the funding of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., in the amount of $438,000;

(4) Provides that every Missouri veteran of World War II who actively and honorably served at any time between December 7, 1941, and September 30, 1945, is entitled to receive a medallion, medal, and a certificate of appreciation to be distributed by the Adjutant General. Eligible veterans are to file an application for these awards with the Adjutant General between January 1, 2001, and January 1, 2002. The Veterans' Commission is to design, with statewide involvement, the form of the medallion, medal, and certificate. The bill establishes the World War II Veterans' Recognition Award Fund to accept gifts and donations to pay for the medallions, medals, and certificates. Any balance remaining in the fund after all authorized expenditures have been made will be transferred to the Veterans' Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund. The Adjutant General is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to administer these provisions; and

(5) Expands the authorized display locations of the POW/MIA flag to include all state buildings. Current law allows the Board of Public Buildings to display the POW/MIA flag along with the U.S. flag and the state flag only at the state capitol.

An emergency clause applies to provisions under paragraphs (1) and (2).