SS/SCS/SB 912 - This act modifies provisions relating to military affairs.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 on or before June 30, 2025, and by every subsequent June 30th.
This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 734 (2024), HB 132 (2023), and 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.
These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/SB 734 (2024).
OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, OPERATION FREEDOM'S SENTINEL, & OPERATION ALLIES REFUGE 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.
These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/SB 734 (2024), in SS/SB 540 (2023), SB 611 (2023), HB 836 (2023), and in SCS/HB 1067 (2023).
ARMED FORCES INCOME TAX DEDUCTION (SECTIONS 143.174 AND 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 SCS/SB 734 (2024), in SS/SB 540 (2023), and in SCS/HB 1067 (2023).
POW/MIA SSG PAUL HASENBECK MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (SECTION 227.854)
This act designates "POW/MIA SSG Paul Hasenbeck Memorial Highway" in Osage County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by the Department of Transportation.
These provisions are identical to SB 1308 (2024) and HB 1908 (2024).
DISABLED LICENSE PLATES AND WINDSHIELD PLACARDS (SECTION 301.142)
This act provides that applicants for a disabled license plate or windshield placard who have presented proof of disability in the form of a statement from the United States Veterans' Administration verifying that the person is permanently disabled shall not be required to provide physician's statements of physical disability for issuance or renewal of the license plate or windshield placard.
The act also makes technical modifications to the underlying statute.
These provisions are similar to SB 114 (2023).
SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES INVOLVING MILITARY ACTIONS OR PERSONNEL (SECTION 301.3030)
This act specifies that special license plates involving military actions or personnel shall not be subject to a special fee for issuance or personalization of one set of the plates issued to each qualified applicant.
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.
These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/HB 1067 (2023).
ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE (SECTION 301.3180)
This act creates an "Army of Occupation Medal" special license plate, available to recipients of the medal.
VETERAN DESIGNATION ON DRIVER'S LICENSES (SECTION 302.188)
The act adds to the list of documents accepted by the Department of Revenue for applicants to obtain a veteran designation on his or her driver's license. The statute is also modified so that the military discharge documents acceptable for this purpose are not limited to those specifically listed.
These provisions are identical to SB 1474 (2024).
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 identical to provisions in SCS/SB 734 (2024), and 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