BONDS TO PROVIDE SERVICE BONUS FOR VIETNAM VETERANS

Act 106 of 1974

AN ACT to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds of the state and to pledge the full faith and credit of the state for the payment of principal and interest thereon for a service bonus for certain veterans; to provide for other matters relating to the bonds and the use of the proceeds of sale of the bonds; and to provide for the submission of the question of the issuance of the bonds to the electors of the state.


History: 1974, Act 106, Eff. Nov. 5, 1974




The People of the State of Michigan enact:


35.1001 Definitions.

Sec. 1.

    When used in this act:
    (a) "Period of service" means that period of time between 12:01 a.m., January 1, 1961 and 12:01 a.m., September 1, 1973.
    (b) "Veteran" means an individual who meets both of the following:
    (i) Is a veteran as defined in section 1 of 1965 PA 190, MCL 35.61.
    (ii) Has completed at least 190 days of honorable service or died during the period of service from service-connected causes in the military, naval, marine, or coast guard forces of the United States including the auxiliary branches thereof, was a resident of the state for at least 6 months before entering therein, and has not applied for and received similar benefits from another state. The 190 days required active duty does not include a period when assigned full-time by the armed forces to a civilian institution for a course substantially the same as a course offered to civilians; served as a cadet or midshipman at a service academy, or active duty for training in an enlistment in the Army or Air National Guard or as a reserve for service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard Reserve.
    (c) "Beneficiary" means in relation to a deceased veteran the surviving husband or wife, child or children, or the dependent surviving mother or father, in the order named which determination may be made by the probate court of the county of residence of the veteran at the time of death.
    (d) "Honorable service" means that service as evidenced by:
    (i) Honorable or general discharge, or separation under honorable conditions.
    (ii) In the case of a serviceman who has not been discharged a certificate from the appropriate service authority that a serviceman did qualify under subparagraph (i) as if the veteran was being discharged or separated.
    (e) "Combat veteran" means a veteran eligible to wear the Vietnam Service Medal or Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.


History: 1974, Act 106, Eff. Nov. 5, 1974 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 209, Eff. Sept. 20, 2016
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 35.1001 to 35.1012, deriving from Act 231 of 1972 and pertaining to service bonuses and tuition for Vietnam veterans, were rejected by the electors of the state on November 7, 1972.





35.1002 Bonds.

Sec. 2.

     The state shall borrow not more than $205,000,000.00, pledge its faith and credit, and issue its serial notes or serial bonds therefor, with maturities as fixed by law for the purpose of paying to or for the benefit of veterans and their beneficiaries as provided in section 3.


History: 1974, Act 106, Eff. Nov. 5, 1974





35.1003 Service bonus for certain veterans.

Sec. 3.

    (1) A combat veteran shall be paid a service bonus in the amount of $600.00.
    (2) A veteran shall be paid a service bonus of $15.00 per month for each month or major portion thereof served as a veteran but not to exceed a maximum of $450.00.
    (3) A person shall not be entitled to a bonus as both a veteran and a combat veteran.
    (4) If the veteran or combat veteran be deceased, payment shall be made to his beneficiary.
    (5) If a veteran dies or is deceased from service-connected causes his beneficiary shall be entitled to receive the difference between the amount which the veteran received under subsection (2) and the sum of $450.00.


History: 1974, Act 106, Eff. Nov. 5, 1974





35.1004 Powers of administrative board and legislature.

Sec. 4.

     The state administrative board shall provide by resolution, from time to time, for the issuance and sale of serial notes or serial bonds at the lowest possible cost and the legislature is authorized to provide for the amounts and method of and eligibility for payment of the sums herein directed.


History: 1974, Act 106, Eff. Nov. 5, 1974





35.1005 Submission of question to electors.

Sec. 5.

     The question of borrowing the sum of $205,000,000.00 and issuing bonds of the state for the purposes set forth in this act shall be submitted to vote of the electors of the state qualified to vote thereon in accordance with the provisions of article 9, section 15 of the state constitution, at the next general November election. The question submitted to the electors shall be substantially as follows:
     "Shall the state of Michigan provide veterans of the Vietnam and other conflicts a service bonus, borrow the sum of $205,000,000.00 and issue general obligation bonds of the state therefor pledging the full faith and credit of the state for the payment of principal and interest thereon, the method of repayment of the bonds to be from the general fund of the state?
     Yes [ ] No [ ]"


History: 1974, Act 106, Eff. Nov. 5, 1974





35.1006 Nature of benefits; tax exemptions.

Sec. 6.

     The benefits provided in this act are not pay for services rendered or subject to state or city income tax.


History: 1974, Act 106, Eff. Nov. 5, 1974





35.1007 Expiration of benefits.

Sec. 7.

     The benefits provided herein expire June 30, 1980.


History: 1974, Act 106, Eff. Nov. 5, 1974





35.1008 Duties of secretary of state.

Sec. 8.

     The secretary of state shall take such steps and perform all acts as are necessary to properly submit the question to the electors of the state qualified to vote thereon at the next general November election.


History: 1974, Act 106, Eff. Nov. 5, 1974





35.1009 Appropriations.

Sec. 9.

     After the issuance of the bonds authorized by this act or a series thereof it shall be the duty of the legislature and the legislature convenants that it will each year make appropriations fully sufficient to pay promptly when due the principal of and interest on all outstanding bonds authorized by this act and all costs incidental to the payment thereof.


History: 1974, Act 106, Eff. Nov. 5, 1974





35.1010 Condition to issuance of bonds.

Sec. 10.

     Bonds shall not be issued under this act unless the question set forth in section 5 is approved by a majority vote of the qualified electors voting thereon at the next general November election.


History: 1974, Act 106, Eff. Nov. 5, 1974





35.1011 Effective date.

Sec. 11.

     This act shall be finally effective at such time as the question set forth in section 5 is approved by a majority vote of the qualified electors of the state as required by article 9, section 15 of the state constitution.


History: 1974, Act 106, Eff. Nov. 5, 1974
Compiler's Notes: The act was approved by the electors of the state on November 5, 1974.



Rendered 8/15/2025 4:15 AM
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 5 of 2025
Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov