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Several bills impacting Maryland veterans to be heard in the 2020 legislative session

Veteran-related bills in the 2020 session
Posted at 2:33 PM, Jan 08, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-09 17:52:48-05

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — As the 2020 session gets underway here is some of the proposed legislation to help Maryland veterans.

HB0012is being sponsored by Delegate Mike Rogers of Anne Arundel County. This bill would alter eligibility for veterans to reside at a home supervised by the Department of Veterans Affairs, including certain active uniformed service members in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps.

HB0032 is being sponsored by Delegate Mark Chang of Anne Arundel County. This bill would make July 27th of every year "Welcome home Korean War Veterans Day". This bill was also introduced in the 2019 regular session.

SB0025 is sponsored by Senator Bryan Simonaire from Anne Arundel County. This bill involves a repeal of a current requirement that the Department of Natural Resources submit a report to the Governor and General Assembly on complimentary or discounted hunting and/or fishing licenses given to Maryland residents who are: military personnel, former prisoners of war, recipients of the Purple Heart Award, and disabled Veterans. This is set for the Senate floor Monday, January 23rd at 1pm.

SB0059is sponsored by Senator Ronald Young of Frederick County. This would authorize the Director of the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency to issue certain fraternal organizations a license for 5 or less instant ticket lottery machines. At least 10% of the proceeds would have to go to a special fund used to assist veterans and their families. This is slated for a hearing on January 9th at 2pm.

SB0084 is sponsored by Senator Bryan Simonaire of Anne Arundel County and Senator Douglas Peters of Prince George's County. This bill helps get unclaimed, cremated remains of Veterans to the correct Veteran organization for proper burial. A hearing is scheduled on this for January 21st at 1:30pm in the Senate.

SB0090 is sponsored by Senator Bryan Simonaire of Anne Arundel County. If passed this would define the terms of "service dog", "support dog", and "therapy horse". This is set for a hearing in the Senate January 23 at 1pm.

SB0109 is sponsored by Senator Arthur Ellis of Charles County. This bill would exempt certain homes, owned by disabled active duty service members, disabled veterans, or their surviving spouse from certain government taxes. A hearing is set for January 15th at 1pm on the Senate floor.