SB23: Bill Text

MLJ:skw

2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE

2021 Senate BILL 23

January 28, 2021 - Introduced by Senators Jacque, Wimberger, Carpenter, Pfaff, Marklein, Ringhand, Smith and Testin, cosponsored by Representatives Murphy, Emerson, Baldeh, Billings, Cabrera, Doyle, Drake, Hintz, Hong, Milroy, Moses, Neubauer, Rozar, Shankland, Snodgrass, Steffen, Subeck, Thiesfeldt, Tittl, Tusler, Anderson and Brostoff. Referred to Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs and Constitution and Federalism.

SB23,1,4 An Act to amend 45.44 (3) (c) (intro.) and 45.51 (2) (a) 1.; and to create 36.27 (2) (b) 5., 36.27 (3p) (a) 1r. g., 38.24 (8) (a) 1r. g. and 45.01 (12) (fm) of the statutes; relating to: expanding veterans benefits to individuals who served in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill expands the definition of “veteran” to include either 1) individuals who were naturalized pursuant to the Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000; or 2) individuals 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 May 7, 1975, and who are citizens of the United States or aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States who reside in Wisconsin. 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.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB23,1 Section 1 . 36.27 (2) (b) 5. of the statutes is created to read:

SB23,2,3 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 as described under s. 45.01 (12) (fm), is entitled to the exemption under par. (a).

SB23,2 Section 2 . 36.27 (3p) (a) 1r. g. of the statutes is created to read:

SB23,2,6 36.27 (3p) (a) 1r. g. The person meets the criteria described under s. 45.01 (12) (fm).

SB23,3 Section 3 . 38.24 (8) (a) 1r. g. of the statutes is created to read:

SB23,2,9 38.24 (8) (a) 1r. g. The person meets the criteria described under s. 45.01 (12) (fm).

SB23,4 Section 4. 45.01 (12) (fm) of the statutes is created to read:

SB23,2,17 45.01 (12) (fm) A person who was naturalized pursuant to section 2 (1) of the federal Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000, P.L. 106-207, and resides in this state or a person who the secretary determines 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 May 7, 1975; is a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; and resides in the state.

SB23,5 Section 5 . 45.44 (3) (c) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB23,2,20 45.44 (3) (c) (intro.) A veteran, as defined in s. 45.01 (12) (a) to (f) (fm), or one of the following:

SB23,6 Section 6 . 45.51 (2) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB23,2,23 45.51 (2) (a) 1. A veteran, other than a veteran described under s. 45.01 (12) (fm).

SB23,2,24 (End)