November 9, 2005, Introduced by Reps. Farhat, Garfield, Moore, Stahl, Espinoza and McDowell and referred to the Committee on Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security.
A bill to authorize a service bonus for certain veterans; and
to make appropriations.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. When used in this act:
(a) "Period of service" means that period of time between
12:01 a.m., January 1, 1991 and the time when the United States
Congress declares an end to hostilities in Iraq.
(b) "Veteran" means a person who completed at least 30 days of
honorable service between January 1, 1991 and June 30, 1992 or 180
days of honorable service between June 30, 1992 and January 1, 2016
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 any auxiliary branches, was a resident of the
state for at least 6 months before entering military service, and
has not applied for and received similar benefits from another
state. The required active duty does not include any of the
following:
(i) 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.
(ii) A period served as a cadet or midshipman at a service
academy.
(iii) A period of 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 1
or more of the following:
(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 were
being discharged or separated.
(e) "Combat veteran" means a veteran who served in combat in
an armed conflict during the period of service.
Sec. 2. (1) A combat veteran shall be paid a service bonus in
the amount of $1,000.00.
(2) A veteran shall be paid a service bonus of $500.00.
(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 is deceased, payment
shall be made to his or her beneficiary.
Sec. 3. The benefits provided in this act are not pay for
services rendered or subject to state or city income tax.
Sec. 4. The benefits provided herein expire when the United
States Congress declares an end to hostilities in Iraq.
Sec. 5. The legislature shall make appropriations fully
sufficient to pay the bonuses conferred in this act.