HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2830

BYRepresentatives Sayan, Anderson, Winsley, Leonard, Raiter, Jones, Basich, Crane, Wineberry, Pruitt, Ferguson, Kremen, Todd, Zellinsky, P. King, Walker, Scott and Jacobsen

Compensating Vietnam veterans.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives Todd, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Republican Member; R. Fisher, Hankins, Morris, O'Brien and Silver.

House Staff:Barbara McLain (786-7135)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

FEBRUARY 1, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Nearly 195,000 Washington residents served in the U.S. armed forces during the period of the Vietnam conflict.  The Department of Veteran's Affairs estimates that perhaps 71,000 of those individuals actually served in the Vietnam combat zone between 1964 and 1973.

In 1972, the Legislature created a service bonus for persons who served in the Vietnam combat zone between August 5, 1964 and May 28, 1973.  The bonus offered $250 to each person who met a number of eligibility criteria.  The bonus could also be claimed by certain surviving members of a deceased Vietnam veteran's family, or by the family of a prisoner-of-war or person missing-in-action. In lieu of the bonus payment, an eligible veteran or dependent could qualify for a like amount of credit toward tuition or other fees at any state or private institution of higher education.

Vietnam veterans could claim the service bonus between March of 1972 and December of 1976.  Approximately 64,000 veterans applied to receive the bonus.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  The service bonus for veterans of the Vietnam conflict is re- created for a period of one year.  Persons meeting the following eligibility criteria are eligible to receive a $250 bonus for their service in the Vietnam combat zone:

            oRecipient of the Vietnam service medal or armed forces expeditionary medal (Vietnam) OR in active service in the federal armed forces between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975;

            oHonorably separated or discharged from such service; and

            oA citizen or resident of Washington for a period of one year prior to entry into such service.

Persons who meet the following criteria are not eligible for the bonus:

            oThose continuously in the armed forces for five or more years immediately prior to August 5, 1964, EXCEPT that prisoners of war, dependents of those missing in action, or survivors of those in the armed forces for five or more years are eligible;

            oThose who were on active duty for training only;

            oThose who have received extra compensation or benefits from residence claimed in another state; and

            oThose who received compensation under prior law.

In the case of the death of an otherwise eligible person prior to August 5, 1964 or in the case of dependents of persons missing-in- action or prisoners of war, the service bonus may be claimed by one of the following survivors (in priority order):

            oA surviving widow or widower if not remarried at the time compensation is claimed;

            oSurviving children if there is no eligible surviving widow or widower;

            oSurviving parents if there are no surviving children or no surviving eligible widow or widower; or

            oSurviving grandparents if there are no other eligible survivors.

In lieu of waiting for the service bonus, any qualified person may receive immediate credit for tuition or other fees at any state institution of higher education, including vocational technical institutes or community colleges, or at any private institution in the state.  The institution then receives the bonus payment when it is paid.

No attorney or other agent may charge a fee for assistance in obtaining the bonus payment, and no one may, for a discount, advance money expected to be obtained from the bonus. Violation of these provisions is a gross misdemeanor.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Vietnam veterans who served in the combat zone between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975, rather than March 28, 1973, would be eligible for the bonus.

Appropriation:    Unspecified amount.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Doug Sayan, prime sponsor; Ed Harrelson, Washington State Veterans Legislative Coalition; and Jesse Farias, Department of Veterans Affairs.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    It is possible that veterans who would be fully eligible to receive the service bonus they have already earned may not have done so due to failure to apply.  The official ending to the war was 1975, not 1973.  Veterans may have still been in the hospital or out of state when the first bonus program ended.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.