JEFFERSON CITY -- On Monday, the governor signed into law legislation that will increase the amount transferred into the Veterans' Commission Capitol Improvement Trust Fund. Sen. Anita Yeckel, R-Sunset Hills, fought for this change for two years and served as the Senate sponsor of House Bill 444.

"I'm pleased that this bill was among the first bills signed into law this year," said Sen. Yeckel, who is chairman of the Senate Financial and Governmental Organization, Veterans' Affairs and Elections Committee. "This new law will guarantee that Missouri can continue to deliver high-quality services to veterans."

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 fund 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, Missouri College Guarantee Fund and the Compulsive Gambler's Trust Fund.

Currently, $3 million is transferred annually from the Gaming Commission Fund to the Veterans' Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund. HB 444 allocates an additional $3 million to the Veterans' Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund should the remaining net proceeds of the Gaming Commission Fund exceed $28 million.

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

"The men and women of our armed forces literally risked their lives to keep this country free," Sen. Yeckel said. "It is our obligation to assist them in whatever way possible."

Right now the Missouri College Guarantee Fund receives $3 million from the Gaming Commission Fund and an $1.5 million if the remaining net proceeds exceed $27 million. HB 444 alters the distribution by annually awarding the Missouri College Guarantee Fund $4.5 million and an extra $500,000 if the remaining proceeds of the Gaming Commission Fund exceed $28 million.

In addition, changes are made to the manner in which the Gaming Commission is distributed. Presently, the remaining net proceeds of the Gaming Commission Fund are distributed concurrently to he Veterans' Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund, the Missouri National Guard Trust Fund and the Missouri College Guarantee Fund. Under HB 444, the Missouri College Guarantee Fund will receive the first portion of the distribution, the Veterans' Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund will receive the second portion of the distribution and the Missouri National Guard Trust Fund will receive the final portion of the distribution.