Legislation

Intent of legislative bill:

1. Refund-past years if veteran is retroactively awarded 100%
   1. Could possibly require general fund appropriations
   2. May have some resistance from schools and legislators
2. Discounted on percent of disability
   1. Same as property tax
3. NDCC 15-10-18.2 and 15-10-18.3

(From ND Veteran/Military Affairs Advisory Committee)

Fiscal note expected

Intent of legislative bill:

1. Adjust taxable value credit on the first $8,100 to $13,500
   1. (=full and true value: $180,000 to $300,000)
   2. NDCC 57-02-08.8
2. Remove “un-remarried” from surviving spouse eligibility Would match Federal VA DIC eligibility.
   1. Simplify the law so if VA determines eligibility for DIC-then qualify for ND property tax exemption
   2. NDCC 57-02-08.8 (1, 2 & 3)
   3. Fiscal not expected

Intent of legislative bill:

1. Scan/digitize all Discharge paper (DD214’s, NGB22’s) and Veteran claims files
   1. County and Tribal VSO offices
2. Available at local VSO office and ND Department of Veterans Affairs
3. Securing paper copies, efficient retrieval of important documents

Fiscal note expected

Intent of legislative bill:

1. Provide 2-$50,000 per biennium grants for National Service Officer’s

A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the veterans' home.

Intent of legislative Bill:

ND Veterans Affairs Budget Optional requests

Staff salary equity

1. $289,710

Return 2 FTE

1. Information Officer $150,000
2. Veterans Benefits Specialist $164,000

Scanning project

1. Scanning grant for all DD214’s in County and Tribal offices
2. $70,000-$300,000 1 time funding

DAV van funding add one more vehicle & cost increase

1. $40,000

Relating to the pay and benefits received by national guard members; to amend and reenact subsection 9 of section 37‑17.1‑05 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to response to disasters or emergencies; and to repeal sections 37‑04‑08, 37‑04‑09, 37‑04‑11, 37‑04‑12, 37‑04‑13, and 37‑07‑05 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to expenses and pay of officer and enlisted members of the national guard.

Intent of legislative bill:

1. Update definition of Military, Armed Forces and Uniform Services Under  NDCC 37-01:
2. Add to 37-01-01 Definitions
   1.  “Armed forces” means Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard.
   2. “Military” means armed forces.
   3. “Uniformed services” means the armed forces, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps and the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service

No fiscal note expected

Relating to designating the bridge on state highway 18 as the veterans memorial bridge; and to provide a continuing appropriation.

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact sections 11-11-05 and 15.1-09-30, subsection 5 of section 15.1-19-03.1, and sections 40-06-02, 49-01-07, 54-16-01, and 54-17-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the recitation of the pledge of allegiance.

Relating to virtual instruction of military-connected students; and to amend and reenact section 15.1‑20‑02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to compulsory school attendance.

Intent of Bill: Allow students of military parents who are transferred to or out of ND to attend beginning or end of school year in order to complete that year of schooling.

HOUSE ACTIONS:

Amended: added "Students with a medical condition, or students moving out of state"

Relating to hunting and fishing license, permit, and application fees for out‑of‑state national guard members; and to amend and reenact section 20.1‑01‑02, subsection 3 of section 20.1‑03‑07.1, subsection 4 of section 20.1‑04‑12.1, and section 20.1‑06‑14 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to hunting and fishing license, permit, and application fees for out‑of‑state national guard members.

Intent of legislative bill:

1. 1. Veteran Gaming income to be allowed for donation to and used for operation of State Veteran Service Organization Department administrative and operational expenses and programs
   2. NDCC 53-06.1-11.1 (2)
   3. No fiscal note expected

Relating to an exception to membership in the teachers' fund for retirement for retired military personnel.

A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the department of veterans' affairs for providing grants for the construction of the Fisher house.

Intent of Bill...

• Provide $500,000 from state funds for construction cost of Fisher House at the Fargo VA Health Care Services.

SECTION 1. A new section to chapter 54-06 of the North Dakota Century Code is created and enacted as follows: Pledge of allegiance. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an executive branch officer or employee may not alter the language of the pledge of allegiance. The voluntary pledge is "I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Intent of Legislative Bill:

1. Funding to offset the cost of Veteran Service Organizations Honor Guard expenses
2. Fiscal note expected: $200,000

Relating to creation of the military honors funeral funds and reimbursement for funeral services; to provide an appropriation; and to provide a continuing appropriation.

Intent of legislative bill:

1. Allow Military Leave time for Drill and RMA duty pay.
   1. NDCC 37-01-25 (20 workdays)

                                No fiscal note expected

Title

Relating to leave of absence without loss of pay for military duties.

Intent of legislative bill:

1. Pro-rated for part-time students (45 months or 10 Semesters)
   1. Example: ½ time status uses only ½ month or semester
   2. Currently even 1 class in a month=full month utilized
   3. Reason: Difficult for surviving spouse to go to school full time, work and take care of children.
2. Used for bachelor’s or master’s etc.
   1. Allow 45 months or 10 Semesters for any educational goal
      1. Due to highbred classes
      2. If taking more than 12 credit hours and finish early-can continue towards masters etc.
3. NDCC 15-10-18.2 and 15-10-18.3

(From ND Veteran/Military Affairs Advisory Committee)

No fiscal note expected

Intent of legislative bill:

Allow any surviving spouse in receipt of VA dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) to be eligible for 1 DAV (non-distinctive or standard) plate and exemption.

1. Regardless if Veteran was eligible for or possessed DAV plate prior to death.
2. NDCC 39-04-18 (2) (j)

(remove “Un-remarried” from law)

1. Would match Federal VA DIC eligibility. Simplify the law so if VA determines eligibility for DIC-then qualify for ND DAV plate.
2. NDCC 39-04-18

Include the exemption from the excise tax on vehicle purchases

1. Retroactive DIC eligibility date used for excise tax refund
2. NDCC 39-04-19(3)

Allow veteran and/or surviving spouse to purchase a “Vanity” or “Specialty” plate.

1. Law currently allows veteran to “display either a distinctive license plate or a standard plate that does not identify the veteran as a veteran or disabled veteran which is issued by the department”
2. NDCC 39-04-18 (2) (j)
3. Minimal fiscal note expected