STATEHOUSE (Feb. 20, 2019) – A bill authored by State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) that would help support Indiana veterans recently passed the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and the Military unanimously.
Senate Bill 483 would require each county to set aside 5 percent of their excise tax replacement disbursement funds to be used to finance county service officers. The county service officers would serve as a resource to those who have served in the military by providing them with information on federal and state Veteran Association benefits, paid education for their children, tax deductions and other benefits.
“There’s no handbook for a veteran that states what they’re entitled to after their service,” Alting said. “If they experience hearing loss years later, what can they do? If they want to go back to school, how are they going to pay for it? If they’re struggling financially, who can help them? It’s crucial each county has a designated person responsible for making sure veterans know how to access the benefits available to them, which this bill would create.”
If a community has over 2,500 veterans, this bill would also require the hiring of an additional part-time county service officer.
“I can’t tell you how many veterans I’ve guided to the veteran service officer in Tippecanoe County,” Alting said. “I believe this is something every Hoosier community should have, as it would greatly support our veterans.”
SB 483 will now move to the full Senate for consideration.
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For a high-resolution photo of Sen. Alting, click here.
