Veterans (Veteran Benefits)

in committee · Michigan · House Nov 13, 2025

HB 5269: Veterans: veterans' homes; forwarding reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a veteran to the county department of veterans affairs; require for certain state and local governmental officers and entities. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5267'25, HB 5263'25, HB 5268'25

HB 5269, the "Veteran Abuse Reporting Act," requires state departments, law enforcement, and prosecutors to notify county veterans' affairs offices or county boards of commissioners within 24 hours of receiving reports of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation involving veterans. The notice must include the veteran's name, a description of the incident, and additional details like age or guardian information when available. This bill directly affects veterans who may be victims of abuse by ensuring their reports trigger a coordinated response from county veterans' affairs services. It mandates that counties contact the veteran or their legal representative and refer them to state veterans' services, creating a formal reporting pathway for veteran safety.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates 24-hour reporting of veteran abuse to county veterans' affairs offices, directly protecting vulnerable veterans from harm.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · Michigan · House Nov 13, 2025

HB 5279: Vehicles: registration plates; individuals who served in the NOAACOC or USPHSCC; include in the definition of veteran and provide special registration plates for. Amends sec. 310 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.310) & adds secs. 803v & 803w.

HB 5279 expands Michigan's veteran designation on driver's licenses to include members of the NOAA Commissioned Corps (NOAACOC) and U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (USPHSCC). It amends the vehicle code to add these service members to the existing definition of "veteran" for license purposes, requiring the Secretary of State to provide a special veteran designation upon proof of service. This change directly affects current or former members of the NOAA and Public Health Service Corps who hold Michigan driver's licenses. The bill modifies Section 310 of the Michigan Vehicle Code and adds new sections (803v and 803w) to formalize this eligibility.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veteran definition to include NOAA/PHSCC members, granting special license plates - direct recognition of service per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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in committee · Michigan · House Nov 13, 2025

HB 5275: Individual income tax: property tax credit; definition of disabled veteran and exclusion from credit cap; provide for. Amends secs. 506 & 520 of 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.506 & 206.520). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5272'25

HB 5275 modifies Michigan's property tax credit for individual income tax by changing the definition of "disabled veteran" and removing a limit on the credit amount for qualifying veterans. The bill amends sections 506 and 520 of the 1967 Income Tax Act (MCL 206.506, 206.520) to expand eligibility and eliminate a cap previously applied to this credit. This directly affects disabled veterans who claim the property tax credit, allowing them to receive the full credit amount without the prior limitation. The change is a specific policy adjustment to the tax code, not a new benefit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves cap on property tax credit for disabled veterans, increasing tax relief for qualifying veterans, directly advancing tax relief within Budget & Taxes framework.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill removes credit cap for disabled veterans, expanding property tax benefits. Directly advances financial support for veterans by eliminating prior limitations on their tax credit.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · Michigan · House Nov 13, 2025

HB 5268: Veterans: ombudsman; Michigan veterans' facility ombudsman to forward report of an investigation finding abuse, neglect, or exploitation in a veterans’ facility to the department of licensing and regulatory affairs; require. Amends sec. 10 of 2016 PA 198 (MCL 4.780). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5267'25, HB 5263'25, HB 5269'25, HR 0002'25

HB 5268 amends Michigan law to require the state veterans' facility ombudsman to directly forward reports finding verified abuse, neglect, or exploitation in veterans' facilities to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). This change affects veterans' facilities and their residents, as it ensures LARA - responsible for facility licensing and oversight - receives these reports immediately. The bill modifies Section 10 of the existing ombudsman law to mandate this specific reporting pathway when abuse findings are deemed valid, rather than only sharing internally with the department of military and veterans affairs. This creates a clearer accountability step for serious facility safety concerns.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates direct reporting of abuse/neglect in veterans' facilities to LARA for immediate oversight, enhancing resident protection and accountability in veteran care facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · Michigan · House Nov 13, 2025

HB 5282: Veterans: other; Vietnam veteran era bonus extension act; create. Creates new act.

HB 5282 creates a new program to provide financial bonuses to Michigan veterans who served during the Vietnam-era period from September 1, 1973, to May 7, 1975, and met specific residency and service requirements. Combat veterans (those missing in action or eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal) receive a one-time $600 payment, while non-combat veterans receive $15 per month (capped at $450 total). Surviving spouses, children, or dependent parents of deceased or missing veterans can apply for these benefits through the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The program is funded by a newly created "Vietnam veteran era bonus extension fund" administered by the state, with application requirements including proof of honorable service and Michigan residency.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates new financial bonuses for Vietnam-era veterans, expanding benefits with $600 for combat vets and $450 cap for non-combat, directly advancing veteran benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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in committee · Michigan · House Nov 13, 2025

HB 5278: State: identification cards; individuals who served in the NOAACOC or USPHSCC; include in the definition of veteran. Amends sec. 2 of 1972 PA 222 (MCL 28.292).

HB 5278 amends Michigan's identification card law to include individuals who served in the NOAA Commissioned Corps (NOAACOC) or the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (USPHSCC) in the state's definition of "veteran" for identification cards. This change would allow these service members to request a "veteran" designation on their state ID, similar to military veterans, upon providing proof of service and discharge. The bill requires the Secretary of State to verify service records with relevant agencies and issue the designation in an appropriate format. This policy change directly affects NOAA and USPHSCC personnel seeking to identify their service on official state IDs.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veteran definition to include NOAA/USPHSCC service members for ID recognition, directly advancing recognition of service per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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in committee · Michigan · House Nov 13, 2025

HB 5265: Veterans: other; grant program for veterans working to obtain a service animal; establish. Creates new act.

HB 5265 creates Michigan's Veterans Service Animal Grant Program, providing financial assistance to eligible veterans for obtaining service animals. It directly affects veterans diagnosed with service-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who are matched with service animals through IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The program, administered by the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, uses a new state fund to cover costs like training and acquisition, with grants awarded based on specific eligibility criteria. The fund is established in the state treasury and can only be used for program grants and administration, as outlined in the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new state fund for veterans service animal grants, directly allocating state budget resources to support program funding.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates Michigan's Veterans Service Animal Grant Program with state funding for PTSD veterans' service animals, directly advancing benefits through financial assistance for acquisition and training.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Michigan · House Nov 13, 2025

HB 5276: Veterans: other; Vietnam veteran era bonus act; extend. Amends secs. 2 & 11 of 1974 PA 370 (MCL 35.1022 & 35.1031) & adds sec. 6a.

HB 5276 extends eligibility for Michigan's Vietnam veteran era bonus to veterans who received the National Defense Service Medal between September 1, 1973, and May 7, 1975. It adds Section 6a to the existing law, creating a new eligibility path for veterans meeting the service period requirements and medal award criteria. The bill also extends the application deadline for these veterans to May 7, 2028, instead of the original 1980 cutoff. This change directly affects Michigan veterans who served during the Vietnam era and were awarded the specified medal during the extended timeframe.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExtends eligibility for Vietnam veteran bonus benefits and application deadline, directly expanding access to veterans' benefits per bill's summary and subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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