FINAL BILL REPORT

ESHB 1213

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

C 76 L 16

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning the definition of veteran for the purposes of the county veterans assistance fund.

Sponsors: House Committee on Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Orwall, Klippert, MacEwen, Moeller, Hayes, Moscoso, Ormsby, Muri, Kilduff and Tarleton).

House Committee on Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Security

Background:

Veterans' Assistance Program.

In 2005 each county was required to establish a Veterans' Assistance Program (VAP) to provide relief for indigent veterans and their families. Under the VAP, a county must provide funding for qualifying indigent and suffering veterans or family members. The county must consult with and solicit recommendations from the local veterans' advisory board to determine the appropriate services needed for local indigent veterans. Counties also must pay for the burial or cremation costs of indigent veterans and their families.

Veterans' Assistance Fund.

County VAP funding is established in a Veterans' Assistance Fund (Fund). Counties may levy taxes for the Fund. The Fund may be used for the VAP, the burial or cremation of indigent veterans or their families, and direct or indirect costs of the administration of the Fund.

For purposes of qualifying for veterans' assistance funding, "family" means: (1) the spouse or domestic partner; (2) the surviving spouse; (3) the surviving domestic partner; and (4) dependent children of a living or deceased veteran. The definition of "veteran" includes: (1) active service members who have served in an armed conflict; and (2) members of the Armed Forces Reserves or National Guard who have received an honorable or medical discharge and have fulfilled their military service obligations. A county may extend VAP services to any service member who has received a general discharge under honorable conditions or a medical discharge. Indigent status is determined by each county, based on public assistance received, income level, or ability to afford basic needs.

Summary:

The definition of "family" for purposes of the Veterans' Assistance Fund (Fund) is modified to also apply to spouses, surviving domestic partners, and dependent children of service members who were killed in the line of duty regardless of the number of days served.

The definition for "veteran" is defined, solely for the purposes of the Fund, as a person who served in active duty with any branch of service and:

Counties have the discretion to expand the eligibility for purpose of the Fund, which includes serving veterans with additional discharge characterizations.

Votes on Final Passage:

House

98

0

Senate

48

0

Effective:

June 9, 2016