JEFFERSON CITY -- The Senate Financial and Governmental Organization, Veterans' Affairs and Elections' Committee on Monday passed Senate Bill 416, which would change the amount transferred into the Veterans' Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund from its present $3 million to $7 million. The legislation will now be sent to the Senate floor for debate.

"For the sake of the veterans' of our state, it's important that the General Assembly approve this legislation this session," said Sen. Anita Yeckel, R-Sunset Hills, sponsor of SB 416. "Failure to do so, would mean that this trust fund would become insolvent in 2006."

A $2 boarding fee is charged at all casinos in the state. Half of that money goes to the communities in which the casino is located, and the other half goes to the Gaming Commission Fund. This funding is used for the operation of the Gaming Commission, with the remaining money distributed between the Veterans Commission Capital Improvement Fund, Early Childhood Education Fund, Missouri National Guard Scholarship Trust Fund, and the Compulsive Gambler's Trust Fund.

The Veterans Commission uses this money to operate the state's veterans' nursing home; veterans' cemeteries; maintenance and repair of veterans' home facilities; and provides funding for veterans' memorials including the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City.

In addition, under SB 416 when the net proceeds in the gaming commission fund exceeds $27 million, any amount of the remaining proceeds would be divided evenly between the Early Childhood Education Fund and the Veterans' Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund.

In another veterans' issue, the Senate Financial and Governmental Organization, Veterans' Affairs and Elections' Committee passed Senate Bill 219, which would entitle all Korean War veteran whose military service took place anytime during June 25, 1950, through July 29, 1953, to receive a medallion, medal and a certificate of appreciation.

If approved by the General Assembly, applications for these would be accepted during the calendar year of 2004.

"More than 50,000 Americans lost their lives during the Korean War," Sen. Yeckel said. "These veterans have given so much for our nation, it is appropriate that we give them this honor."

This medal program is similar to the popular World War II Veterans Recognition Program that is currently taking applications. As of Feb. 24, 39,582 medals had been awarded to World War II veterans.