HB 925

Abstract

Amends the Service Member Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 330 ILCS 61/1-1 Adds reference to: New Act 330 ILCS 45/9.1 330 ILCS 45/9.2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Veteran Service Organizations State Charter Act. Provides that a veteran service organization shall be considered state chartered when the organization meets all of the requirements listed in this Act and the organization's application for state charter status has been approved by the Attorney General. Sets forth the requirements a veteran service organization must meet to obtain state charter status. Sets forth the application requirements a veteran service organization must satisfy to obtain state charter status. Provides that the Attorney General shall issue a letter granting state charter status upon review of any application demonstrating that all requirements for state charter status have been met. Provides that any organization whose state charter application has been denied by the Attorney General for failure to meet all of the application requirements may resubmit that application once all deficiencies have been corrected. Provides that state charter status shall be valid for 5 years; and that a veteran service organization must reapply for state charter status prior to the expiration of its current state charter status. Provides that the Attorney General may revoke a veteran service organization's state charter status if the Attorney General determines through notification or other information or evidence that the veteran service organization no longer meets the requirements for state charter status. Requires the Attorney General to maintain a publicly accessible list of state chartered veteran service organizations. Provides that it is a violation of the Military Veterans Assistance Act for any person, group, or entity to assert state charter status where such status has not been granted in accordance with this Act or where such status has been revoked. Contains provisions concerning enforcement of the Act by the Attorney General and remedies. Makes conforming changes to the Military Veterans Assistance Act. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 330 ILCS 61/1-1 Adds reference to: New Act Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Veteran Service Organizations State Charter Act. Provides that a veteran service organization shall be considered state chartered when the organization meets all of the requirements listed in this Act and the organization's application for state charter status has been approved by the Attorney General. Sets forth the requirements a veteran service organization must meet to obtain state charter status. Sets forth the application requirements a veteran service organization must satisfy to obtain state charter status. Provides that any organization whose state charter application has been denied by the Attorney General for failure to meet all of the application requirements may resubmit that application once all deficiencies have been corrected. Provides that state charter status shall be valid for 5 years; and that a veteran service organization must reapply for state charter status prior to the expiration of its current state charter status. Provides that the Attorney General may revoke a veteran service organization's state charter status if the Attorney General determines through notification or other information or evidence that the veteran service organization no longer meets the requirements for state charter status. Requires the Attorney General to maintain a publicly accessible list of state chartered veteran service organizations. Provides that it is a violation of the Military Veterans Assistance Act for any person, group, or entity to assert state charter status where such status has not been granted in accordance with this Act or where such status has been revoked. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Makes a change to one of the qualifications for state charter status. Provides that a veteran service organization must have been formed by and for veterans, have a board where at least two-thirds of its members are veterans, and have annual expenditures that demonstrate that at least 51% of the organization's expenses reflect support for veterans, service members, and their families (rather than have been formed by and for veterans with a board composition of mostly veterans or have annual expenditures that demonstrate that the majority of the organization's expenses reflect support for veterans, service members, and their families). Removes, from the list of qualifications, a requirement that the veteran service organization provide responsible aid, assistance, or services to the veteran community. In a provision concerning the duration of state charter status, provides that state charter status shall be valid for 3 (rather than 5) years. Requires a veteran service organization to reapply for state charter status at least 120 days before the expiration of its current state charter status. Makes technical changes. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: Provides that, in addition to other requirements, to qualify for state charter status, a veteran service organization must (i) have a board where a majority of its members are veterans and have annual expenditures that demonstrate that a majority of the organization's expenses reflect support for veterans and (ii) comply with the methods and criteria set forth under the Military Veterans Assistance Act if the veteran service organization has delegates and alternates or is in the process of selecting and submitting delegates and alternates to a county Veterans Assistance Commission at the time of application for State charter status. Removes, from the list of qualifications, a requirement that the veteran service organization provide responsible aid, assistance, or services to the veteran community. In a provision concerning the duration of state charter status, provides that state charter status shall be valid for 3 (rather than 5) years. Requires a veteran service organization to reapply for state charter status at least 120 days before the expiration of its current state charter status. Provides that in addition to any other remedies, a court may assess a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for each violation of the Act. Makes technical changes.