SCS/SB 734 - This act modifies provisions relating to military affairs, including vaccination of members of the Missouri National Guard against COVID-19, Missouri Veterans' Commission's efforts on veteran suicide, information of veteran services provided by state agencies, medallion programs for certain veterans, fees for hunting and fishing permits for certain members of the military, and foreign ownership of agricultural land near certain military areas.COVID-19 VACCINATION OF MISSOURI NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS (SECTION 41.092)
This act provides that no member of the Missouri National Guard shall be required by the Governor or the Adjutant General to receive a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of state service.
This provision is identical to SB 542 (2023) and a provision in SCS/HB 1067 (2023).
MISSOURI VETERANS' COMMISSION'S EFFORTS ON VETERAN SUICIDE (SECTION 42.022)
This act requires the Missouri Veterans' Commission to review the provisions of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 and any regulations related to such act. After review, the Commission, in collaboration with the Department of Mental Health, shall provide recommendations and make efforts to adopt procedures, programs, treatment options, aid, and other assistance necessary to assist in the efforts to prevent veteran suicide. Additionally, this act provides that the Commission shall file a report with the Department of Public Safety and the General Assembly on the recommendations, implementation, and effectiveness of the Commission's efforts to prevent veteran suicide before June 30, 2025, and by every subsequent June 30th.
This provision is identical to HB 132 (2023) and a provision in SCS/HB 1067 (2023) and is substantially similar to a provision in SCS/HB 2455 (2022).
INFORMATION OF SERVICES BY STATE AGENCIES FOR VETERANS (SECTION 42.051)
Currently, state agencies shall ensure that any form created or modified after August 28, 2021, that is used to collect data from individuals includes certain questions regarding veteran status and the provision of the agency's assistance and information on veteran services. This act provides that state agencies shall include the following questions on any form created or modified after August 28, 2024, that is used to interact with members of the public:
(1) Have you ever served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and separated from such service under conditions other than dishonorable?
(2) Would you like to receive information and assistance regarding veteran benefits and services?
(3) May the agency share your contact information with the Missouri Veterans Commission to provide such information? General information may also be found on the Missouri Veterans Commission's website.
Every state agency shall provide the contact information of those individuals answering question (3) in the affirmative to the Missouri Veterans Commission within seven business days of receipt and shall provide the contact information in a format readily accessible by the Commission. Additionally, every state agency shall provide information regarding the agency's applicable veteran services and benefits in a format readily accessible and identifiable to individuals answering question (1) and (2) in the affirmative and to the Commission. On January 1st of each year, the Commission shall post a report on its website that includes the total number of individuals whose contact information has been submitted by each state agency to the Commission and the total number of individuals contacted as a result of such submission.
OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, OPERATION FREEDOM'S SENTINEL, & OPERATION ALLIES REFUGE MEDALLION PROGRAM (SECTION 42.312)
This act establishes a new medallion program, "Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom's Sentinel, and Operation Allies Refuge Program". Under the act, any veteran who served on active duty during certain dates, is a legal resident of this state or was a legal resident at the time of discharge from military service, or was a Missouri National Guard member regardless of residency, is eligible for a medal of appreciation for service.
This act is identical to a provision in the perfected SS/SCS/SB 912 (2024), HCS/HB 1490 (2024), HB 1496 (2024), SS/SB 540 (2023), SB 611 (2023), HB 836 (2023), and in SCS/HB 1067 (2023).
ARMED FORCES INCOME TAX DEDUCTION (SECTIONS 143.174 & 143.175)
Current law authorizes an income tax deduction for active and reserve members of the Armed Forces for a percentage of such taxpayer's income received as salary or compensation as a member of the Armed Forces. This act provides that the term "salary or compensation" shall include any signing bonus.
These provisions are identical to provisions in SS/SB 540 (2023) and in SCS/HB 1067 (2023).
HUNTING AND FISHING PERMITS FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY (SECTION 252.250)
This act provides that any veteran, who was discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable, and any active duty member of the Missouri National Guard shall be eligible to receive hunting and fishing permits free of charge for life upon request to the Conservation Commission.
This provision is substantially similar to SCS/SB 256 (2023) and is similar to SB 1223 (2022).
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES (Section 301.3061)
This act specifies that the Disabled American Veterans special license plate "shall bear the emblem of the Disabled American Veterans organization", and "shall have an authorized Disabled American Veterans' slogan near the bottom of the plate", rather than specifically describing the emblem and slogan.
This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/HB 1067 (2023).
FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND NEAR MILITARY AREAS (SECTION 442.571)
This act modifies provisions relating to foreign ownership of agricultural land near certain military areas.
Currently, aliens and foreign businesses are capable of acquiring, by grant, purchase, devise, or descent, no more than 1% of the total aggregate agricultural acreage in the state can be owned by an alien or foreign business. This act repeals that provision and provides that beginning August 28, 2024, no alien or foreign business shall acquire agricultural land within 500 miles of certain military areas or business establishments engaged in certain military manufacturing as provided in the act.
Those persons that have acquired agricultural land in such areas prior to August 28, 2024, shall continue to own and hold the acquired land, but shall not grant, sell, or otherwise transfer on or after August 28, 2024, to any other alien or foreign business.
After August 28, 2024, all proposed transfers of any interest in agricultural land held by any alien or foreign business in the state shall be submitted at least 30 calendar days prior to when such transfers of such agricultural land are finalized to the Department of Agriculture.
These provisions are similar to SB 9 (2023), SB 55 (2023), SCS/SBs 332, 334, 541 & 144 (2023), HB 465 (2023), a provision in CCS/SS/SCS/HCS/HB 903, 465, 430 & 499 (2023), SB 791 (2022), HB 1947 (2022), SB 243 (2021), HB 1136 (2021), and HB 1492 (2020).
KATIE O'BRIEN