Video & Transcript Research : 'veterans cemeteries'
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WA
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 5420 relates to veteran benefits. Senate Bill 5420 relates to veteran benefits.
- I'm with the Veterans Legislative Coalition.
- For our veterans, service members, and their families.
- Substitute Senate Bill 5827 relates to veterans.
- Veterans may claim the exam scoring criteria or other veterans' civil service preference after they have
Keywords:
veterans, military spouses, service members, uniformed services, National Guard, reservists, active duty, qualifying discharge, veterans preference, hiring preference, public employment, state benefits, license renewal, professional licensing, retirement service credit, pension, public retirement system, Washington RCW, military leave, reemployment rights
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the Director of Veterans Affinity on Sovereign Affairs.
- I've been on the reservation where veterans, our own veterans, have no access to care and they wait three
- We have veterans who have no access to doctors and nurses.
- Our own veterans live on the reservations too in Arizona.
- I want to dive in a little bit to the veterans part.
Bills:
HB2176, HB2333, HB2435, HB2447, HB2617, HB2683, HB2686, HB2725, HB2726, HB2906, HB2953, HB2958
Keywords:
health care, licensure, complaints, investigation, safety, patient care, regulatory compliance, prosthetics, orthotics, health insurance, Medicare, medical necessity, disability rights, coverage, reimbursement, internationally trained physicians, medical board, clinical training, provisional license, healthcare workforce
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Feb 4th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- for SB 96 updates and strengthens Florida's commitment to ensuring access to dental care for our veterans
- Oral health is essential to overall health, yet too many veterans lack access to basic dental services
- This bill revises the purpose of the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program to ensure that veterans living
- By doing so, the bill expands access while still targeting resources to veterans who need help affording
- The amendment does not change the eligibility, does not change the purpose of the Veterans Dental Care
Keywords:
pediatric care, emergency departments, hospital regulations, patient safety, health care standards, veterans, dental care, healthcare, grant program, income assistance, human trafficking, nurse licensure, registered nurse, RN, licensed practical nurse, LPN, Florida Board of Nursing, Department of Health, licensure by examination, nursing education
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard public comment first on the AIDS Drug Assistance Program and the iBudget waiver. Testimony on the HIV program warned that proposed Department of Health changes could disrupt care for thousands of clients, create confusion, and force people off life-saving medications; a senator suggested affected clients explore medically needy and FQHC/340B options. Testimony on iBudget urged support for a roughly 7% rate adjustment for direct support professionals, citing rising costs and the need to sustain the developmental disabilities workforce.
The committee then considered several bills. SB 428 expanded Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7 and was reported favorably. SB 68 required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, equipment standards, and readiness assessments; an amendment aligning reporting dates with the House was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1718 lengthened the time an adult may stay in an out-of-home placement before being treated as a visitor, reduced background screening burdens for foster families, made the Step Into Success program permanent, and created a best-practices program; it was also reported favorably.
The committee next approved SB 606, which adds drowning-prevention and safe-bathing education to postpartum materials and requires related compliance records, and SB 96, which expands the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program to veterans up to 400% of the federal poverty level; an amendment removed the bill’s specific $500,000 appropriation so funding can be handled in the budget process. SB 340 required nursing education to include a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure, and SB 1480 created a grandfathering process for certain area-of-critical-need health care providers if federal designations change, both of which were reported favorably. The committee adjourned after all bills passed their roll calls.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- veteran treatment court that I think do amazing things.
- veterans.
- I, too, am a United States Army veteran.
- I was co-chair of the Veterans Caucus last year.
- I currently have four other bills, four veterans that have been stakeholdered and asked for by the veterans
Keywords:
brackish water, groundwater, desalination, water resources, feasibility study, environmental impact, dementia care, telementoring, healthcare education, rural communities, grant funding, braille, disability access, education funding, state corrections, inclusion, produce incentive, agriculture, economic support, funding
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- against illegal slot operators while also providing an avenue of protection for our well-intentioned veteran
- against illegal slot operators while also providing an avenue of protection for our well-intentioned veteran
- An important component of the bill is that it provides a pathway for well-intentioned veteran service
- Chair, Vice Chair, my fellow veterans are up here, members.
Keywords:
Florida lottery, state lottery, lottery tickets, lottery retailer, Department of the Lottery, Division of Security, ball machine, lottery vending machine, instant tickets, online lottery tickets, major procurement, vendor disclosure, performance bond, retailer bond, security report, counterfeit ticket, altered ticket, false claim, ticket theft, fraud
Summary:
The Committee on Regulated Industries considered and reported several bills. SB 530 on state lotteries was presented with two technical amendments adopted, including changes to lottery department contracting language and machine-purchase flexibility; the committee then reported the bill favorably. SB 204, which increases penalties for illegal slot machine operations to a third-degree felony and creates a declaratory-statement process for veteran service organizations to confirm machine legality, drew support from gaming interests and some soft opposition from a veterans group concerned about implementation; it was also reported favorably.
The committee then took up a proposed committee substitute combining SB 658 and SB 608 on water safety requirements for rental and vacation properties. The combined bill would require certain rental properties near water bodies or with pools to install specified alarms, locks, fences, covers, or similar safety devices, with enforcement through DBPR and a grace period for correcting some violations. Senators emphasized the bill as a response to child drowning deaths, including those involving autistic children, and the PCS was reported favorably. SB 980, as a delete-everything amendment, would create the Florida Agegate Act to restrict advertising, promotion, and display of non-FDA-approved nicotine devices in areas accessible to those under 21, with penalties and inspection authority; after questions about counterfeit products and enforcement, it was reported favorably.
The committee also approved SB 1708, which removes a three-year out-of-state practice requirement for veterinary licensure by endorsement while keeping other competency requirements, and SB 680, as amended, which creates a sales tax exemption for electricity sold to EV charging station operators and transferred to consumers, subject to metering and affidavit requirements. Several members recorded votes after the roll calls, and the meeting ended with an invitation to return later for another bill before adjournment.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- against illegal slot operators, while also providing an avenue of protection for our well-intentioned veteran
- An important component of the bill is that it provides a pathway for well-intentioned veteran service
- Chair, Vice Chair, my fellow veterans are up here, members.
Keywords:
Florida lottery, state lottery, lottery tickets, lottery retailer, Department of the Lottery, Division of Security, ball machine, lottery vending machine, instant tickets, online lottery tickets, major procurement, vendor disclosure, performance bond, retailer bond, security report, counterfeit ticket, altered ticket, false claim, ticket theft, fraud
Summary:
The Committee on Regulated Industries met and reported several bills favorably. SB 530 on state lotteries, presented by Senator Pizzo, made technical changes to the Department of Lottery’s powers and duties, clarified definitions, and allowed more flexibility to purchase rather than lease machines; two technical amendments were adopted before the bill passed. SB 204, also presented by Senator Bradley, increased penalties for illegal slot machine operations to a third-degree felony and created a process for veteran service organizations to seek binding declaratory statements from the Gaming Commission about whether a machine is lawful; the bill was reported favorably after testimony from supporters and a veteran organization expressing concern about clarity and good-faith cooperation. SB 658 and SB 608 were combined into a proposed committee substitute on water safety for rental and vacation properties, requiring certain pool or water safety devices and adding enforcement provisions through DBPR; the merged bill was reported favorably after strong testimony emphasizing child drowning statistics and support from local residents and industry representatives. SB 980, as amended, created the Florida Agegate Act to restrict advertising, promotion, and display of non-FDA-approved nicotine dispensing devices around minors, with escalating penalties and inspection authority; members discussed concerns about illegal products and enforcement, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1708 on veterinary licensure by endorsement removed a three-year recent practice requirement for out-of-state veterinarians while keeping other competency standards, and it was reported favorably with support from several animal and veterinary-related groups. SB 680, as amended, addressed double taxation of electricity used at EV charging stations by creating a sales tax exemption for separately metered electricity transferred to consumers, and it was also reported favorably. The committee also noted additional support forms for the water safety bill and adjourned after miscellaneous remarks and announcements.
NV
Keywords:
military, veterans, education, teaching, Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, licensure, certification, public schools, charter schools, school social worker, school counselor, school psychologist, internship, practicum, student support services, mental health, harassment, bullying, power-based violence, school safety
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Feb 12th, 2025
Ways and Means General Fund
Keywords:
elections, post-election audit, election audit, risk-limiting audit, ballot audit, election integrity, voter confidence, Secretary of State, judge of probate, canvassing board, poll watchers, ballot containers, manual tally, recount, county election, statewide election, general election, absentee ballots, provisional ballots, election transparency
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- So, currently, the our state cemeteries.
- </c><01:13:16.760><c> Now,</c> state cemeteries for their service.
- Now, state cemeteries for their service.
- </c><01:13:19.320><c> is</c> the definition of an eligible veteran is the definition of an eligible veteran
- </c> prevent me from obtaining the veteran prevent me from obtaining the veteran status<01:14:00.520>
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Vets Committee Meeting - 2025-04-02
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- County Veterans Service Offices or the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans.
- use to serve veterans?
- Because if I am a 65-year-old veteran—and no one is a former veteran—but if I were a 65-year-old veteran
- here—to serve veterans.
- The last thing I will tell you, as a veteran, as a Black veteran, as a senior Black veteran, is that
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 04/08/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:19:10.080><c> Their</c> history for the veterans. Their history for the veterans.
- in U.S. national cemeteries.
- status and what veteran status is.
- </c><00:25:45.840><c> status</c> veteran status and what veteran status veteran status and what veteran
- Uh the veteran uh served honorably.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- But apart from all of that, he's also a United States Navy veteran.
- On February 28th, this recently retired veteran who was working as a contractor was very badly injured
- Senate Bill 1594, a bill to be entitled an act relating to veteran benefit payments to minor clients.
- This bill authorizes the boards of historic black cemeteries to generate revenue for maintenance and
- Senate Bill 1594, a bill to be entitled an act relating to veteran benefit payments to minor clients.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing interns, staff, visitors, and a military veteran. After routine announcements, the chamber took up several House-returned bills and special-order measures, with most motions to concur or refuse to concur adopted without objection. Early actions included unanimous concurrence in House amendments to SB 118 on RV park special assessments and SB 572 on ethics rules for public officers and employees, both passing 38-0. The Senate then debated and passed CS/CS/HB 991 on election integrity by a 27-12 vote after extensive opposition focused on voter registration documentation, student IDs, provisional ballots, and potential disenfranchisement; the sponsor defended the bill as a citizenship-verification and election-security measure. The chamber also passed CS/CS/SB 182, an education package combining several related provisions, by 37-0, and later approved SB 474 on military affairs by 39-0 after a technical amendment restoring certain retirement eligibility positions. The Senate refused to concur in the House amendment to CS/CS/CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service, and refused to concur in the House strike-all amendment to SB 598 after the House had added composting language to the cremation definition. Several other messages were temporarily postponed.
On the special-order calendar, the Senate passed CS/CS/HB 425 on historic cemeteries by 39-0, allowing historic Black cemetery boards to sell surplus property not used for burial to fund maintenance. It also passed HB 929 on chickee regulation by 39-0, limiting local restrictions on chickee construction and setting spacing, fire-safety, and permitting rules. SB 1370 on habitual traffic offender designation was substituted with identical CS/HB 35 and passed 39-0, expanding habitual offender treatment to repeated driving without a valid license. The chamber then returned to CS/CS/CS/SB 902, the Department of Health package, which was substituted with CS/HB 733 and amended to retain the Senate’s medical marijuana location limits, adjust NICU nutrition language, modify the dental student loan repayment program, and require a pediatric trauma center designation for certain specialty children’s hospitals; it passed 37-0. The Senate also moved CS/CS/CS/HB 905 on foreign influence to the special-order calendar and began debate on a strike-all amendment defining foreign terrorist organizations and foreign countries of concern, restricting gifts and business ties, tightening sister-city affiliations, and adding ethics training and reporting requirements, but the transcript ends before final action on that bill.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- He finished his service with the Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery, keeping watch over our heroes
- And on January 25, 2025, he officially started his job at the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs
- He personally talks to dozens and dozens of veterans a week, telling them all the reasons they should
- the men Dustin recently talked to is Mason Bennett, who served with Dustin at Arlington National Cemetery
- Our nation has unfortunately lost more than 150,000 veterans to suicide since 9/11.
Summary:
The meeting was the opening of the Arkansas General Assembly’s 2026 fiscal session, beginning with quorum calls, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests, including law enforcement officers, a doctor of the day, nurse of the day, constitutional officers, Supreme Court justices, and family and friends of legislators. The House adopted House Resolution 1001 to convene a joint session for Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’s address, appointed committees to notify the Senate and the Governor, and later received the Senate into the chamber before recessing for the joint session.
In the joint session, members observed a moment of silence for former Representative Stan Berry, then heard Governor Sanders’s fiscal session address. Her remarks focused heavily on the proposed budget and her administration’s priorities: fully funding education and the LEARNS Act, supporting teachers and literacy efforts, funding public safety and corrections, expanding the 1033 initiative to move people from crisis to career, and holding down government growth while pursuing further income tax cuts. She also highlighted economic development, low cost of living, and support for veterans, while emphasizing conservative policy themes and thanking several Arkansans whose stories illustrated the administration’s agenda.
No substantive legislation was debated or voted on beyond the adoption of House Resolution 1001 and the procedural motions to adjourn the joint session and then adjourn the House until the next day. The House announced that Joint Budget would meet later that afternoon and again the following morning.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- He finished his service with the Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery, keeping watch over our heroes
- And on January 25, 2025, he officially started his job at the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs
- He personally talks to dozens and dozens of veterans a week, telling them all the reasons they should
- the men Dustin recently talked to is Mason Bennett, who served with Dustin at Arlington National Cemetery
- Our nation has unfortunately lost more than 150,000 veterans to suicide since 9/11.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 18th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , LGBTQ plus youth, and communities. justice-involved youth, veterans, LGBTQ plus youth, and communities
- Senate Bill 1115 by Senator Grove, an act relating to public cemetery districts.
- These are our families that are being buried at the cemetery.
- Senate Bill 1115 by Senator Grove, an act relating to public cemetery districts.
- These are our families that are being buried at the cemetery.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and several ceremonial presentations. Members welcomed Jack and Jill of America’s Far West Region and a large education bus trip from Senate District 15. The body also adopted SCR 151 designating May 2026 as ACL Injury Awareness Month, SR 105 declaring May as National Tennis Month, SCR 175 recognizing Behavioral Health Awareness Month, SCR 176 designating May as Small Business Month, and SCR 178 recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month. These resolutions drew broad support, with many senators speaking to the health, civic, economic, and cultural themes in the measures, as well as concerns about anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and solidarity across communities.
The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointees unanimously: Siva Gunda to the California Energy Commission, Tony Sertich as Executive Director of the California Housing and Finance Agency, and Craig Snellings to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. In addition, the chamber approved a motion to suspend Joint Rule 62(a) so the Committee on Local Government could hear AB 1768, after debate over the procedure and a roll call vote.
On legislation, the Senate passed a series of bills on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including SB 922 on local cost recovery for street damage from public service operations, SB 932 on litigation transparency, SB 1311 on updates to consumer affairs boards and licensing rules, SB 1143 on access to forensic interview recordings in child abuse cases, SB 1307 on clearing forged real estate documents, SB 1177 on high-speed rail reporting, SB 971 on community networks for older adults, SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1228 on existing outdoor advertising displays in former redevelopment areas, SB 997 on lien authority for a groundwater sustainability agency, SB 1115 on public cemetery district governance, SB 1088 on advance care planning forms, SB 1242 on family participation in CARE Court, SB 1364 on parental rights in rape-related custody cases, SB 993 on protecting mental health professionals’ identifying information, SB 1094 on prescription drug biosimilar use, SB 1117 on ADU fee calculations, SB 1244 on broker compensation disclosures for public agency health plans, SB 1315 on automated driving system software update reporting, and SB 1398 on recognizing Green Globes as an equivalent state building certification. Earlier, a motion by Senator Strickland to withdraw SB 1035 from committee failed on a 22-22 vote.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs - 03/17/2026
Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Patrick's Day to all, and welcome to our second committee for Veterans, Homeland Security and Military
- An act to amend the Veteran Service Law and the Public Health Law in relation to authorizing a veteran's
- is buried in a veteran cemetery.
- An act to amend the Labor Law and the Veterans Service Law in relation to requiring the Department of
- Labor to create and maintain a list of available careers and job listings in the state for veterans.
Summary:
The Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs committee met on March 17 and considered six bills, all of which were advanced. S-109 would allow a veteran’s close friend or family member, if familiar with the veteran’s wishes, to request burial in a veterans cemetery. S-2071 would require the Department of Labor to maintain a list of careers and job listings for veterans. Both bills were moved without discussion and reported to the floor.
The committee then approved several measures and referred them to Finance: S-2607, exempting certain veterans service organizations from sales taxes on beer, wine, and soda; S-4529, providing legal assistance for military families; S-4530A, exempting certain active duty military members based at Fort Hamilton and Fort Wadsworth from Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge E-ZPass tolls if they live in a city of one million or more; and S-605, establishing a Hire a Vet Grant Program with a sunset provision. Members present voiced no opposition on the bills, and each was moved by committee members before being reported onward. The meeting ended with brief closing remarks and adjournment.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Apr 7th, 2025
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- That are registered from the GLO Veterans Land Office and Texas Veterans Commission.
- veteran, uh, prevention program.
- cemeteries in the state.
- through the Veterans to the Texas Veterans Commission.
- To by the Veterans Texas Veterans Commission regarding the provision of veterans benefits in this state
Bills:
HCR7
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, November 12, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We need to fight for our immigrant communities and veterans.
- for new VA hospitals and veteran cemeteries, and funding veteran disability programs, employment training
- HOSPITALS AND VETERAN CEMETERIES AND FUNDING VETERAN DISABILITY PROGRAMS, EMPLOYMENT TRAINING AND HOUSING
- to veterans seriously.
- Yesterday was Veterans Day.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Finance Committee in Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 04:01 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- And this adds eligible widowed spouse of a disabled veteran to that definition.
- And this adds eligible widowed spouse of a disabled veteran to that definition.
- And this adds eligible widowed spouse of a disabled veteran to that definition.
- The next is the tax rule regarding pre-need cemetery companies.
- This rule technically amends the Tax Division's existing rule regarding these cemetery companies that
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then considered a series of House bills and committee substitutes. House Bill 5438, dealing with changes to Step 7 of the school aid formula and allowable uses of certain education allocations, was amended to adopt the Education Committee’s changes and then reported to the full Senate. House Bill 4087 creating the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance was also reported, as was House Bill 4191, which expands child care tax credit eligibility for employer-sponsored facilities and changes subsidy payments from attendance-based to enrollment-based reimbursement; senators emphasized its workforce and economic development benefits. House Bill 5074, which reallocates medical cannabis fund balances and future revenues, was amended to increase the Child Protective Commission pilot funding from $3 million to $5 million and remove proposed ibogaine research funding for Marshall and WVU before being reported. House Bill 5353, regulating virtual currency kiosks and money transmission licensure, and House Bill 5527, creating licensure and oversight for wellness reimbursement program administrators, both received strike-and-insert amendments and were reported. House Bill 5687, which phases down the metallurgical coal severance tax and adds a temporary oil and gas tax reduction with county/municipal revenue adjustments, was amended and reported. House Bill 4418, creating an electronic system for municipal business and occupation tax filing and collection with a 1% administrative fee and a participation threshold, was also reported.
The committee then took up House Bill 4245, the Revenue Rules Bundle, which bundles 26 legislative rules from the Department of Revenue and related agencies. The bundle included alcohol, banking, insurance, racing, and tax rules, with several sunset extensions and repeals of outdated rules; the committee adopted a strike-and-insert amendment affecting a lottery consumer protection rule and a pre-need cemetery company rule, then reported the bill. House Bill 5168, providing a $12 million lottery-funded stream for emergency medical services, was amended to clarify the uses of the funds, rename one fund, require a 30% county match for mental health treatment spending, and create two additional county-based EMS funds; senators described it as a needed permanent funding source for EMS, and it was reported. Throughout the meeting, members generally supported the measures, with some discussion on technical details, funding allocations, and the impact of the bills on local services and workforce needs. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced that Senate House Bills 4004, 4006, and 4009 would not be taken up that day, and the committee adjourned.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Missouri, and you remember the flood of '93, maybe that's why you've heard of it, because the Hardin Cemetery
- In '93, that Hardin Cemetery was displaced, and 793 graves were flooded, with the recovery of 645 remains
- , marking one of the most devastating cemetery disasters in modern history.
- I was working on a different piece of legislation for veterans before.
- I was working on a different piece of legislation for veterans before we ran into this, and when we created
Summary:
The committee first met in executive session and approved House Bill 2808 on a 9-4 vote with one present. The hearing then focused on House Bill 1808 and its companion House Bill 3435, both titled Grace’s Law, which would create a narrow social host liability cause of action for knowingly providing alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person age 21 or older when that conduct leads to injury, death, or property damage. Sponsors said the bill is intended to fill a gap in Missouri law, align the state with other states that recognize social host liability, and promote accountability without punishing responsible hosts. Members raised questions about how the visible-intoxication standard would apply in private settings, whether the bill could reach casual gatherings, and whether it should also address other substances; sponsors said the measure is intentionally limited and still being refined.
Supporters of Grace’s Law included the mother of Grace, the crash victim for whom the bill is named, a relative of another drunk-driving victim, and representatives from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. They described the bill as a response to preventable tragedies and argued that liability would encourage hosts to stop serving intoxicated guests, take away keys, or arrange safe rides. Testimony emphasized that the bill is about reckless conduct rather than ordinary hospitality, and several members expressed sympathy and support for stronger accountability in drunk-driving cases. No opposition testimony was presented before the hearing on those bills concluded.
The committee then heard House Bills 3439 and 3480, which would extend the Public Safety Protection and Recruitment Act to volunteer firefighters by allowing them to qualify for tuition assistance and related benefits under the program. Sponsors said volunteer firefighters in rural areas perform essential and often dangerous work, but are currently excluded from the statute, and that the change would help recruit and retain volunteers. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact, whether volunteers should receive the same benefit as full-time personnel, and whether the program should be structured as a tuition waiver rather than a scholarship to reduce costs. Fire chiefs and other supporters testified that volunteer departments are critical in rural Missouri, that volunteers often receive extensive training and respond to fires, EMS calls, and disasters, and that the benefit would help departments recruit and keep members. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce also supported the bill, citing public safety and workforce benefits. No opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing was concluded after discussion.