HB 3424

Abstract

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Creates the Veterans' Disability Compensation Task Force. Provides specified objectives for the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall consist of 15 members appointed by the chairs of the Veterans Affairs Committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Provides that the members of the Task Force shall be members of different Illinois counties' Veterans Assistance Commissions, Veteran Service Officers, VITAS officials, and AMVETS officials. Provides that the Task Force shall meet once each month and that joint hearings of the Veterans Affairs Committees of the House of Representatives and Senate shall be held once each month. Provides that the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall prepare a report of its findings and recommendations and submit it to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before May 1, 2020. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Creates the Veterans' Disability Compensation Task Force to assess ways the State of Illinois can improve the rate at which disability compensation claims are approved by the federal government and correct the disparity between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' approval of disability compensation for Illinois veterans and that which is approved for veterans in other states. Provides that the Task Force shall consist of the chair and minority spokesperson of the Veterans' Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, the chair and minority spokesperson of the Veterans Affairs Committee in the Senate, and 15 members appointed by the chair of the Veterans' Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives and the chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee in the Senate. Requires those appointed to the Task Force to be members of different Illinois counties' Veterans Assistance Commissions, Veteran Service Officers, and VITAS officials. Provides that Task Force members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for any travel expenses incurred in attending meetings. Provides that within 60 days of the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Task Force shall meet, and thereafter shall meet at least quarterly. Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs to provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to prepare a report that summarizes its work and makes recommendations resulting from its study. Provides that the Task Force shall submit the report of its findings and any recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before July 1, 2020. Repeals the amendatory Act's provisions on July 1, 2021. Effective immediately.