Long's Military Family Relief Bill to be Signed Into Law
(STATEHOUSE)— Senate Enrolled Act 75, authored by State Senator David Long (R- Fort Wayne), has received final approval by both the Senate and House of Representatives. This legislation establishes a military relief fund for the families of Indiana National Guard members and Indiana armed forces reservists called into active duty after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
“Every day, these men and women put their lives on the line for our country,” Long said. “In the meantime, they take a significant pay cut from their regular job, making it difficult to provide for the needs of their families. By passing this law, Indiana is extending a helping hand to its citizen soldiers at a time of great personal sacrifice for their state and nation.”
Money for the fund will come from license plate sales. An additional $15 annual fee will be added on Hoosier Veteran license plates. Proceeds from the plates will be deposited directly to the military relief fund. In addition, the legislation also creates a “Support Our Troops” license plate and provides for a $20 supplemental fee on these plates.
Approximately 10,000 Hoosiers serve as active members of the Indiana National Guard. Thousands more serve as armed forces reservists. The families of these soldiers sometime suffer financial hardships when reservists are called to active duty, as many employers choose to pay little, if any, of the members' salaries while they are away. The military relief fund is designed to provide grants to these families for utilities, clothing, food, transportation, and other basic needs.
The newly enacted legislation contains a provision that allows the Veterans' Affairs Commission to establish the amount, the eligibility criteria, and selection procedures for these grants, while also allowing the Director of Veterans' Affairs to request the General Assembly make an appropriation to the fund.
SEA 75 is modeled after the Illinois Family Relief Trust Fund, a similar program that took effect in 2003. Several other states are considering similar legislation.
SEA 75 is now headed to the governor for his signature.
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