DOA:......Kirschbaum, BB0030 - Expand the definition of "veteran" to include certain Hmong/Lao individuals
For 2025-2027 Budget -- Not Ready For Introduction
An Act ...; relating to: the budget.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
VETERANS
Hmong and Laotian veterans
This bill expands the definition of “veteran” to include both 1) a person who resides in this state who was naturalized pursuant to the Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act of 2000; and 2) a person who resides in this state who the secretary of veterans affairs has determined served honorably with a special guerrilla unit or irregular forces operating from a base in Laos in support of the armed forces of the United States at any time during the period from February 28, 1961, to September 18, 1978, and who is a citizen of the United States or a lawful permanent resident of the United States. The bill extends most veterans benefits to anyone who meets this newly expanded definition of veteran; however, admission to a state veterans home and burial in a veterans cemetery are not included benefits as they are subject to federal regulation.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. 36.27 (2) (b) 5. of the statutes is created to read:
36.27 (2) (b) 5. A person who is a resident of and living in this state at the time of registering at an institution and who is a veteran described under s. 45.01 (12) (fm) is entitled to the exemption under par. (a).
Section 2. 36.27 (3p) (a) 1r. g. of the statutes is created to read:
36.27 (3p) (a) 1r. g. The person meets the criteria described under s. 45.01 (12) (fm).
Section 3. 38.24 (8) (a) 1r. g. of the statutes is created to read:
38.24 (8) (a) 1r. g. The person meets the criteria described under s. 45.01 (12) (fm).
Section 4. 45.01 (12) (fm) of the statutes is created to read:
45.01 (12) (fm) A person who resides in this state, if any of the following applies:
1. The person was naturalized pursuant to section 2 (1) of the federal Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act of 2000, P.L. 106-207. 2. The person is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States and the secretary has determined that the person served honorably with a special guerrilla unit or irregular forces operating from a base in Laos in support of the armed forces of the United States at any time during the period beginning February 28, 1961, and ending September 18, 1978.
Section 5. 45.01 (12) (k) of the statutes is repealed.
Section 6. 45.44 (3) (c) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
45.44 (3) (c) (intro.) A veteran, as defined in s. 45.01 (12) (a) to (f) (fm), or one of the following:
Section 7. 45.51 (2) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
45.51 (2) (a) 1. A veteran, other than a veteran described under s. 45.01 (12) (fm).
Section 8. 234.622 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
234.622 (4) (b) A veteran, as defined in s. 45.01 (12) (a) to (f) (fm), who has been accepted into the program.
Section 9. 234.625 (4) (b) 9. of the statutes is amended to read:
234.625 (4) (b) 9. If the participant is a veteran, as defined in s. 45.01 (12) (a) to (f) (fm), who is not 65 years of age or older, at a time before any of the events under subds. 1. to 7. occurs, as determined under policies and procedures established by the authority.
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