Senate bill (SB1385) which will be heard Tuesday morning, 1st of February, at 0900 in Senate Room B on the first floor of the GA building. This bill gives 10% of “excess” revenue to the DVS after certain other required distributions are made. Had this bill been in effect this year the DVS would have received an additional $4.9 million above its normal budgeted funding. This is an opportunity we should support as strongly as we can. At this point the best thing we can do is to have as many veterans show up for the hearing as possible in order to show our support.  This is a case where the old adage “NUMBERS COUNT” certainly applies. Please urge chapter members to attend this hearing in support of the bill!  Thanks for your help and support.

Virginia Chapters also establish VCOC Goals and Objectives, which include "Legislative Effectiveness":

GOAL:   IMPROVE LEGISLATIVE EFFECTIVENESS
O-1 Increase Grassroots Support (numbers contacting legislators)
O-2 Increase Legislative Team Members (to at least 3 per chapter)
O-3 (National)
O-4  Chapter meets with area state senators & delegates prior to start of General Assembly.
O-5 Attendance at Storming State Capitol. Richmond (from each Virginia Chapter).
O-6 Use VAVET alert system for state objectives during the General Sssembly.
O-7 (National)

See other Goals and Objectives of the VCOC in the Home Section of this website. 
Chapter quarterly reports to VCOC include a Legislative Section, where chapters report on their legislative activities for the quarter.  

ALTERNATE DEDICATED REVENUE SOURCES FOR VETERANS PROGRAMS.
The JLC requests the Governor and General Assembly provide some of the resources required to implement the Compact with Virginia's Veterans by creating alternate dedicate revenue sources for veterans programs.  Specifically a special state lottery.  See frequently-asked-questions (FAQs) as well as the position paper posted at right.  Both are JLC documents, in PDF format, from their website.  PATRONS:  Del. Lingamfelter HB2323 and Sen Colgan SB 1386.      ATTEND COMMITTEE HEARING IN SUPPORT of  SB 1385- 1 FEB 2011.

DVS BENEFIT SERVICES PROGRAM.
The JLC requests that the Governor and General Assembly improve services to Virginia veterans by restoring staffing for the DVS Benefits Services Program.  An additional $402,400 (GF) per fiscal year is needed.  See JLC Position paper, posted at right.  PATRONS:  Del K. Cox HB 1557 and Budget Amend 413 # 1h and Sen Stosch Budget Amend 413 #1S. 

STATE VETERANS CEMETERIES.
The JLC requests that the Governor and General Assembly ensure that the state veterans cemeteries operate in a safe, efficient manner and meet national shrine standards by filling vacant positions, replacing worn out equipment, and purchasing necessary supplies.  An additional $387,100 (GF) per fiscal year is needed.  The JLC position paper is provided in document at right.  PATRONS:  Del. Jones and Sen. Reynolds - Governor's Budget Item 414

LEGISLATION IN 2011 FOR 2010 OBJECTIVES:

REAL ESTATE TAX RELIEF  100% PERMANENTLY DISABLED VETS (Enabling Legislation for the 2010 Constitutional Amendment)
HB 1645 – O’Bannon – Real property tax; exemption for disabled veterans.
SB 987 – Puller/Reynolds – Real property tax; exemption for disabled veterans.
SB 1358 – Stosch – Real property tax; exemption for disabled veterans.
 
BURIEL VAULTS FOR VIRGINIA STATE CEMETERIES:
HB 1500 – Item 414 – $208,000 Non-General Fund (NGF) Meet requirements of veterans cemetery outer burial container program.

The Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Services Organizations (JLC) met 12 August 2009 to determine the agenda for legislative objectives for 2010. Priority was established in October 2009 for the six legislative objectives which are listed in priority order below.    A one-page summary is included in the document library on this web page as well as a position paper on each individual objective .

1. Real Estate Tax Exemption for 100% Disabled Veterans:  This is a continuation of last year’s effort which will need to be passed identically by the General Assembly after this fall’s election of the House of Delegates as required by the Virginia constitution. JLC sponsor: Disabled American Vets.

2.  Department of Veterans Service Budget.  For Fiscal Year 2011 and 2012, continue funding for Virginia Wounded Warrior Program, Appropriate $100K for automated processing of veterans disability claims, and provide resources to open and operate the SW Virginia Veterans Cemetery.  VCOC MOAA agreed to work with other Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) as the JLC sponsor for this.

3.  Virginia War Memorial Operating and FFE Funds. To fund the necessary furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE) and a higher operating budget after the Galanti Education Center is completed. JLC sponsor: American Legion.

4.  Burial Vaults for Virginia State Veterans Cemeteries: Because this effort failed last year due to state budget shortfall, the goal was amended to authorize the Department of Veterans Services  to do a bulk buy of burial vaults and then sell them to veterans’ families at cost. This will save veterans’ families $400 - $800.  $36,000 is needed to purchase the special equipment needed to place the burial vaults for the initial vault purchase. JLC sponsor: Veterans of Foreign Wars.

5.  Military & Veterans Court Programs: VCOC MOAA, at their Oct 2009 meeting, recommended  changes to this objective, to also focus on educational programs for judges, attorneys, first responders and others on the unique challenges faced by combat veterans and treatment options available to them.  JLC Sponsor Virginia MOWW. 

6.  Military Family Relief Fund Nontaxable:  Find an administrative or legislative solution so grants from MFRF are not treated as taxable income.  This is a continuation of the bill which was tabled in the 2009 House of Delegates due to a rule to not hear any bill proposing any tax relief whatsoever. This year we will be looking for a patron in the Senate. JLC sponsor: Virginia National Guard Association.

The following legislative objectives for 2009 were adopted by the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations (the JLC) on August 13, 2008 and prioritized by the JLC Dec 18, 2008.  These are the top six legislative objectives of the 23 Veterans Service Organizations represented on the JLC, which include the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) with 16 chapters in Virginia, all affiliated with the Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) MOAA.

1.  Automated System for the Electronic Preparation of Veterans Disability Claims:  The JLC recommends that the Governor and General Assembly direct that "subject to the availability of sufficient funds, the Department of Veterans Services shall develop and deploy an automated system for the electronic preparation of veterans? disability claims."  HB1732(Cox)

2.  Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children:  The JLC recommends that the Governor and General Assembly enact "Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children." HB1727 (Cole)

3.  Burial Vaults for Virginia State Veterans Cemeteries:  The JLC recommends that the Governor and General Assembly appropriate funds so that burial vaults may be provided at no cost at Virginia state veterans cemeteries.

4.  Military Family Relief Fund:  The JLC recommends that the Governor and General Assembly enact legislation such that benefits paid from the Military Family Relief Fund shall be non taxable.  HB2414 (Bouchard), HB2512 (Mrsden).

5.  Real Estate Tax Relief for 100% Disabled Veterans:  The JLC recommends that Governor and General Assembly pass legislation to amend the Virginia Constitution that would require local governments to grant real estate tax exemptions for 100% disabled veterans without regard to means testing.  HJ648 (O'Bannon); SJ304 (Stuart)

1.  Fully fund the Department of Veterans Services Budget and Strategic Plan as outlined in Executive Order 19:  The JLC requests that the Governor and General Assembly provide the Department of Veterans Services with the resources required to accomplish the specific recommended objectives (e.g. Turbo-vet, additional personnel, etc.).

2.  Support the Virginia National Guard:  The JLC requests that the Governor and General Assembly approve the requested biennial budget and legislative initiatives of the Virginia National Guard without decrement, despite any shortfall in anticipated state revenue, and that the General Assembly pass legislation to protect the custodial rights of mobilized service members.

3.  Wounded Warrior Mental Health Care:  The JLC requests that the Governor and General Assembly establish a state wide program to provide our Virginia resident Wounded Warriors and their families with first class treatment for mental health/PTSD/TBI injuries, and that the Governor and General Assembly also provide competent oversight of a program to efficiently utilize federal/state/private funding for these initiatives.  HB 475, patroned by Delegate Kirk Cox,  requires establishment of a program to monitor and coordinate mental health and rehabilitative services support for Virginia veterans and members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia residents in the Armed Forces Reserves not in active federal service.   Another Bill, HB477, improves the Veteran Services Foundation and specifically provides for private fund raising in support of Wounded Warriors.  The JLC and VCOC believe that Federal, state and private funding is necessary to fully support Wounded Warriors.   

4.  Virginia War Memorial Education Wing:  The JLC requests that the Governor and General Assembly release the $3.5 million appropriated by the 2007 General Assembly for the construction of the Virginia War Memorial Education Wing, and that the Governor and General Assembly appropriate an additional $2 million in General Funds for the construction of the Virginia War Memorial Education Wing.
 5.  Tax relief for 100% disabled veterans:  The JLC requests that Governor and General Assembly pass legislation to amend the Virginia Constitution that would require local governments to grant real estate tax exemptions for 100% disabled veterans without regard to means testing.

6.  Provide Tax Relief for Virginia Citizen Soldiers called to Active Duty:  The JLC requests that the Governor and General Assembly provide an income tax exemption to Virginia citizens who serve in the National Guard or Reserve and who are activated into full-time service outside the Continental United States in excess of 90 days.

7.  Permit Virginia Resident Service Members to place a “Freeze: on their Credit Files:  The JLC requests that the Governor and General Assembly provide the authority for Virginia domiciled service members and their spouses to prevent either the unauthorized release of credit information or the creation of unauthorized credit accounts.  This is a major help to prevent identity theft.

1.  Support the Virginia National Guard and Reserves.
2.  Fully Fund Department of Veterans Services.

3.  In-State Tuition for Active & Reserve Service Members stationed in Virginia.

4.  Fund Virginia War Memorial Education Wing.
5.  Clarify Veterans "Preference" in Hiring Practices
6.  Curb Pay Day Lending Practices.
7.  State Tax Exemption Virginia Residents of Armed Forces Deployed Overseas