This resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act, which would allow disabled veterans to receive both their full military retirement pay and full VA disability compensation without any dollar-for-dollar offset. The bill directly affects approximately 50,000 medically retired combat-wounded veterans who currently lose over $1,000 per month in benefits due to existing federal offset rules. It seeks to amend federal law to recognize that military retirement and disability benefits compensate for two distinct forms of service and sacrifice. The resolution is a formal request from the West Virginia Legislature to federal lawmakers to address this policy change.
HB 5017 creates a one-time $10 million grant program administered by West Virginia's Department of Veterans Assistance to support active American Legion posts across the state. It requires the department to distribute equal amounts to all eligible posts (those maintaining good standing and operating as of January 1 of the fiscal year) without requiring applications or matching funds. Grant funds may cover building maintenance, equipment, utilities, or veteran services, but cannot be used for political activities or personal compensation. The program expires after funds are distributed and a final report is submitted to the legislature, with posts required to report fund usage within 12 months.
SB 159 adds "veteran status" to the list of protected classes under West Virginia's Human Rights Act. This means employers, labor organizations, and public accommodations (like businesses or service providers) cannot discriminate against individuals based on whether they are veterans. The law prohibits actions such as refusing employment, denying services, or using discriminatory advertising related to veteran status, aligning it with existing protections for categories like race, disability, and age. It does not create new benefits but extends current anti-discrimination safeguards to veterans.
This bill amends West Virginia law to maintain a program exempting honorably discharged U.S. military veterans from vehicle registration fees, with only a $10 initial application fee required. It directly affects veterans, their surviving spouses (who may continue using a deceased veteran's plate), and Gold Star spouses (who receive full fee exemption for one plate). Key provisions include waiving all registration fees beyond the $10 application fee for eligible veterans, allowing multiple vehicles per applicant, and requiring verification of military service. The bill preserves existing special plate options rather than creating a new "Veterans" plate designation.
HB 4399 clarifies the definition of a "disabled veteran taxpayer" in West Virginia law to ensure consistency for property tax benefits. The bill specifically adds that a disabled veteran must have a 90% or greater service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or qualify for individual unemployability under VA disability ratings. This change directly affects disabled veterans who seek the property tax credit authorized under §11-13MM-4 of the code, as it defines eligibility more precisely. The bill does not alter tax rates or create new benefits, but ensures the existing credit applies only to veterans meeting the clarified VA disability standard.
SB 204 amends West Virginia's Military Incentive Program to extend eligibility to all veterans (not just Vietnam/Korean conflict veterans or specific disabled veterans) and updates program definitions. It designates WorkForce West Virginia as the sole agency administering the program and establishes rulemaking authority. The bill updates key terms like "economically disadvantaged" to align with current federal poverty standards and removes era-specific restrictions. These changes aim to simplify access to the program, which provides tax credits to private employers hiring eligible veterans.
SB 594 would create a sales tax exemption for eligible disabled veterans purchasing vehicles in West Virginia. It exempts qualifying veterans from paying the state's 5-6% vehicle sales tax (depending on purchase date) on new or used vehicles. The bill establishes specific eligibility qualifications (details not included in this text) and sets an effective date for the exemption. This directly affects disabled veterans who buy vehicles in West Virginia, removing a financial burden related to vehicle purchases.
SB 467 amends West Virginia law to establish enforcement for parking spaces reserved for Purple Heart recipients, which are currently designated but lack penalties for misuse. The bill creates new penalties for non-recipients who park in these reserved spaces, directly affecting Purple Heart recipients who rely on these accessible spots and violators who occupy them without authorization. The key mechanism adds enforcement procedures to ensure these spaces remain available for eligible veterans. This change updates existing parking privileges under §17C-13-6 without altering eligibility requirements.
SB 202 would exempt certain military veterans and their families from tuition and fees at West Virginia’s public colleges and universities. It specifically covers: (1) spouses and children of veterans killed in action, missing in action, or who died while serving; (2) disabled veterans with 90%+ service-connected disabilities (since 9/11); and (3) spouses and children of active-duty veterans who died or went missing in service. To qualify, applicants must be West Virginia residents, apply for FAFSA, exhaust other tuition aid, and maintain academic standards. The exemption applies only to undergraduate programs and does not cover special fees like lab costs or parking. The bill is pending in committee and not yet law.
SB 497 modifies West Virginia's vehicle registration fee exemption law to expand eligibility for veterans. Currently, veterans must have a 100% service-connected disability to qualify for fee exemption (subsection 15-16). This bill lowers the required disability percentage to 50% or greater, as certified by the state Department of Veterans' Affairs. The change applies to veterans with qualifying disabilities who own one non-commercial vehicle, maintaining existing restrictions on vehicle type and use. This directly affects veterans with service-connected disabilities between 50% and 99% who previously did not qualify for the exemption.
