For Immediate Release: May 30, 2012
Veterans’ Funding Legislation Overwhelmingly Passed by Senate Receives Governor’s Signature
Dedicated funding source for veterans becomes reality

JEFFERSON CITY — Just days following Memorial Day, veterans’ legislation designed to create a dedicated funding source for the state’s veterans’ homes was signed into law during numerous ceremonial events throughout the Show-Me State. The measure received unanimous approval in the Missouri Senate.

House Bill 1731 changes how certain funds are used in the state by adjusting the allocation of the Missouri Gaming Commission Fund to ensure a dedicated funding source to operate the state’s seven veterans’ homes.  The legislation also provides a mechanism to balance Missouri’s $24 billion operating budget.

More specifically, HB 1731 authorizes the Missouri Veterans Commission to use funds in the Veterans’ Commission Capital Improvement Trust fund for the administration of the commission. The Veterans’ Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund was created to allocate money for the construction, maintenance or renovation or equipment needs of veterans’ homes and cemeteries in Missouri.   These veterans’ homes are located in Cameron, Cape Girardeau, Mexico, Mt. Vernon, St. James, St. Louis and Warrensburg; the veterans’ cemeteries are located in Springfield, Higginsville, Bloomfield, Fr. Leonard Wood and Jacksonville.

Funds previously allocated for the Early Childhood Development, Education and Care Fund will come from the Tobacco Mater Settlement Agreement (at least $35 million).  The legislation prohibits various institutions that receive state funds from operating, establishing or maintaining a quality rating system (QRS) for early childhood education unless legislation is enacted giving authority to do so.  These rating systems are designed to assess, improve and promote the level of quality in child care settings by awarding quality ratings to programs that meet a set of defined program standards.

The measure also increases the annual funding for the Missouri National Guard Trust Fund from the Gaming Commission Fund from $3 million to $4 million and allows the General Assembly to annually appropriate up to an additional $1.5 million to the fund.

Finally, HB 1731 requires the Joint Committee on Education to develop a comprehensive funding formula for Missouri higher education public institutions by Dec. 31, 2012, and requires the Legislature to implement the funding formula beginning July 1, 2014.

Since the legislation contains a nonseverability clause, if any provision of the bill is held to be invalid for any reason, the remaining provisions will also be considered invalid.

With the governor’s signature, HB 1731 is now enacted into law.

To see a complete list of the bills delivered to the governor for his approval, visit www.senate.mo.gov and click on the “Truly Agreed Bills” link under the “Legislation” tab.  To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or email: newsroom@senate.mo.gov.