An Act to amend 45.51 (2) (a) 1.; to create 45.01 (12) (jm) of the statutes; Relating to: the definition of âveteranâ for purposes of certain state veterans benefits.
Summary
SB983 would expand Wisconsin’s statutory definition of “veteran” for certain state veterans benefits to include current or former National Guard members who completed their initial obligated term of service and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. Under the bill, these individuals would be treated as veterans for most state benefit purposes covered by the affected statutes.
The bill expressly excludes two categories of benefits from the expanded definition: admission to a state veterans home and burial in a veterans cemetery. The Legislative Reference Bureau notes that those benefits are governed by federal regulation, so the state definition change would not control eligibility for them.
Impact
SB983 would amend s. 45.51 (2) (a) 1. and create s. 45.01 (12) (jm) of the Wisconsin statutes. In practical terms, it would broaden eligibility for many state veterans programs to include qualifying National Guard members, while leaving veterans home admission and burial rights unchanged. The bill would affect state agencies administering veterans benefits and the individuals newly brought within the statutory definition, but it would not alter federally regulated cemetery or home eligibility rules.
Sentiment
The bill appears generally supportive of veterans and National Guard service, with no recorded committee testimony or vote history in the provided materials indicating opposition or debate. Its introduction by a bipartisan group of senators and assembly cosponsors suggests broad interest in expanding recognition and access to benefits for qualifying service members. The bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.
Contention
The main substantive limitation in the bill is the carve-out for state veterans home admission and burial in veterans cemeteries, which are excluded because of federal regulation. That distinction may be the primary point of concern for stakeholders who might expect the expanded definition to apply to all veterans-related benefits. Otherwise, the bill’s text and available context do not show any recorded controversy or competing positions.
Crossfiled
An Act to amend 45.51 (2) (a) 1.; to create 45.01 (12) (jm) of the statutes; Relating to: the definition of âveteranâ for purposes of certain state veterans benefits.