Gov. McDonnell's 2012 Military and Veterans Legislative Agenda

RICHMOND – In an address to the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations, and joined by veteran and Virginia National Guard leaders, Governor Bob McDonnell announced today legislative and administrative initiatives to continue his effort to make Virginia the most veteran-friendly state in America.  Legislative initiatives include ensuring that all members of the Virginia National Guard receive in-state tuition, improving absentee ballot access for overseas military and guaranteeing that unclaimed remains of veterans receive honorable burials.  Budget initiatives include several measures to better deliver services and benefits to veterans, to construct a new veterans care center in Hampton Roads and to assist localities affected by BRAC.  In addition to the legislative and budget initiatives, Governor McDonnell’s administrative initiatives include the creation of a veterans ID card to serve as proof of veteran status and increasing access to DMV services to better serve the unique needs of Virginia’s active duty military personnel and veterans.  

Speaking about the military and veterans legislation for the 2012 General Assembly Session, Governor McDonnell said, “The one in 8 Virginians who serve or have served in the armed forces deserve our eternal thanks for putting themselves in harm’s way to protect our freedom.  They serve Virginia. Virginia must serve them. Building on the last two successful legislative sessions, our legislative and administrative initiatives for 2012 continue to make Virginian the most veteran-friendly state in America and improve services for the brave men and women who have worn the uniform.  I propose that we provide in-state tuition for all members of the Virginia National Guard, regardless of how long they’ve lived here. They have stood up for the Commonwealth, now we need to open the doors of our colleges and universities to them. Additionally, it is unacceptable and heartbreaking that some veterans, after serving and defending their country, find themselves homeless.  We will launch a coordinated state effort led by the Department of Veterans Services, in partnership with the Department of Housing and Community Development and other state agencies that will help Virginia communities maximize new and existing resources in combating homelessness among our veterans and their families.” 

Governor McDonnell continued, “In addition to improving the delivery of benefit services to Virginia Veterans and providing preplanning funds for construction of a new veterans care center in Hampton Roads, we have budgeted for four additional positions within the Department of Veterans services to identify Virginia veterans who are eligible for disability and compensation benefits and to connect them to the programs and benefits they earned.  From the state level to the local level to individuals reaching out in their communities, Virginia is truly the most veteran friendly place in the country.  Our military and veterans initiatives for 2012 will make significant strides to continue to improve services for these patriots.” 

Delegate Kirk Cox said, “The military plays a significant role in the commonwealth.  It is fitting that we, in turn, make sure that we are doing everything we can at the state level to support our men and women in uniform.  The 2012 military and veterans initiatives will make it easier for service members to attend school, exercise their right to vote and improve the delivery of benefits for veterans.”  

“I look forward to working with Governor McDonnell to pass this important, bipartisan legislative agenda,” said Senator Wagner.  “The agenda as a whole will improve services for our veterans and send a message to our active duty military members stationed in Virginia: We want to keep you and your expertise here in Virginia.” 

First Lady Maureen McDonnell said, “Virginia’s communities are already giving so much to make Virginia the friendliest state for veterans and their families. It makes sense that our laws will reflect what so many of us know is the right way to treat these quiet heroes. I look forward to continuing my efforts and finding more opportunities for us all to support those who have sacrificed so much for the cause of freedom.” 

2012 Military and Veterans Initiatives 

Legislative Initiatives 

• In-State Tuition for Virginia National Guard (Senator Wagner and Delegate Stolle)

Ensure in-state tuition for all members of the Virginia National Guard.  Currently, members who previously resided in another state are not eligible for in-state tuition if they have not resided in Virginia for at least one-year, even though enlistment is generally a six-year commitment.  This proposal will waive the one-year residency requirement as well as the requirement to prove domiciliary intent for a member of the Virginia National Guard if he or she enlists after moving to Virginia from another state.  

• Hiring Preference for Virginia National Guard (Senator Garrett and Delegate Cole)

Extend the Commonwealth’s veterans hiring preference to active members of the Virginia National Guard. This proposal would require state agencies to grant active Virginia National Guard personnel, who have satisfactorily completed required initial active duty training, a preference in the Commonwealth’s hiring process for state employment. 

• Ensure Absentee Ballot Access for Overseas Uniformed Military (Senator Martin and Delegate Anderson)

Enable innovative solutions to assist overseas military voters who face potential complications in ballot delivery and return times.  The proposal achieves four main goals: 1) Allowing the Secretary of the State Board of Elections to develop pilot programs for secure electronic ballot delivery and return in cooperation with the Federal Voting Assistance Program, 2) Allowing secure electronic return of Federal Post Card Applications for registrations and absentee ballot requests (codifying an administrative directive), 3) Authorizing secure electronic return of voted ballots, and 4) Requiring expedited delivery in the event absentee ballots are sent late (codifying an administrative directive). 

• Enhance Disabled Veteran Hunting and Fishing Licenses (Senator Garrett and Delegate Yancey)

Separate the hunting and fishing components of the disabled veteran lifetime hunting and fishing licenses so the veteran is not required to purchase both in order to do one or the other.  Currently, a disabled veteran who only wishes to fish must purchase the combined license and complete the hunter safety requirement if he or she has not already done so.  Similarly, a disabled veteran who only wishes to hunt must purchase the combined license which includes fishing.  This legislation will provide better options and improve customer service.  

• Unclaimed Veteran Cremains (Senators Reeves and Puller and Delegates Anderson and Tata)

Provide honorable burials to veterans whose cremains are left unclaimed by family at Virginia’s funeral homes by requiring funeral directors to provide the names of unclaimed remains to the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.  The department will identify which unclaimed remains are qualified veterans and provide them with the honorable and dignified burial they deserve in one of the Commonwealth’s Veterans Cemeteries. 

• Board of Veterans Services Voting Rights (Delegate Dudenhefer and Senator Puller)

Strengthen the capacity of the Board of Veterans Services to fulfill the powers and duties set forth in the Code of Virginia by granting voting privileges to all ex-officio members.  This bill officially recognizes that the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Veterans Services Foundation and the Chairman of the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations are full partners in the provision of services to our veteran community. 

• Improving the Ratio of Veterans to Claims Agents as Funded in the Introduced Budget (Senator Reeves and Delegate K. Cox)

Changes the ratio of veterans to claims agents at the Department of Veteran Services from 26,212:1 to 23,000:1 as provided in the introduced budget with the addition of four new agents.

Budget Initiatives 

• Assisting Veterans with Benefits and Medical Care

Provides funding to the Department of Veterans Services to support two positions to work with the Department of Medical Assistance Services to identify Virginia veterans who are eligible for disability and compensation benefits and for medical care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs but who are currently receiving Medicaid benefits.  This program will help those eligible veterans receive the benefits they are entitled to for their military service. 

• Virginia Homeless Veterans Initiative

Provides $197,018 each year to establish a program to reduce homelessness among Virginia veterans and their families.  A coordinated state effort led by the Department of Veterans Services, in partnership with the Department of Housing and Community Development and other state agencies, will help Virginia communities maximize new and existing resources. 

• Improve Delivery of Benefit Services to Virginia Veterans

Provides $127,068 each year to increase the number of claims agents to assist Virginia veterans with their claims. This will increase the number of agents by two.  Along with the two positions from the Medicaid initiative, this makes the overall ratio of veterans to agents 23,000:1, versus the present 26,212:1.  The number of claims filed each year is growing and it is expected to continue growing as veterans return home from recent deployments.  

• Construct Veterans Care Center in Hampton Roads

Provides $250,000 in capital preplanning funds for the construction of a new veterans care center in Hampton Roads.  Virginia has committed to providing sufficient matching funds once federal funding approval for this project has been given.  This preplanning funding will allow the Department of Veterans Services to move quickly on this project once federal funding becomes available.   

• Funding Assistance for Localities Affected by Base Realignment and Closure Commission Recommendations 

Provides $7,500,000 in FY 2013 to assist localities affected by BRAC, including efforts to keep the Naval Air Station Oceana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

Administrative Initiatives 

• Creation of a Veterans ID Card

The Department of Motor Vehicles, working with the Department of Veterans Services, will create a separate identification card that can be issued to Virginia’s veterans.  The card will serve as proof of veteran status for a number of purposes, including discounts offered by retailers, state parks, business assistance fees and others.  

• Improving DMV Access for Military

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is working to increase access to DMV resources for Virginia’s active duty military personnel, dependents and veterans with expanded full-service offices and DMV mobile units. 

• Virginia Veterans Re-employment Initiative The Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services will work with the Virginia Employment Commission, Department of Human Resources, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation and several other state and private organizations to advance our efforts to find employment for veterans after they discharge from service.
• Virginia Student Veterans Association

The Department of Veterans Services will assist student veterans in Virginia to create the first-of-its-kind state-level student veterans association as a coordinating body for the Student Veterans of America chapters at Virginia colleges and universities.  Currently, the Student Veterans of America (SVA) is organized as a national entity, with individual chapters at colleges and universities, including several in Virginia.  The new state-level organization will work under the national SVA, with a goal of having an SVA chapter at every college and university in Virginia.  The state-level organization will also serve as a resource for student veterans, providing assistance in resolving tuition issues, G.I. Bill eligibility, and other challenges faced by student veterans.