American Veterans Magazine - July 2024 - Inaugural edition

/// POLICY

Healing of Memories Workshop FOR WOMEN VETERANS A safe, experiential and interactive way to overcome anger, loss, grief and guilt

HB 2897 : Signed into law. The bill allocates $5 million of the attorney general’s budget to veterans substance abuse, $500,000 from the Arizona State Parks Board for a veterans memorial park feasibility study, $10 million from the Arizona Board of Regents for spouses of veterans tuition scholarships and $72 million from the Department of Veterans Services for various initiatives. HB 2899 : Signed into law. The bill appropriates $25 million from the state general fund to the Department of Veterans Services to construct a veterans home facility in Mohave County.

Nov. 15-17 Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, Carefree No charge Facilitated by Graciela Marroquin, BA, MSW Veteran & Combat Medic

THE VETOES

SB 1570 : Vetoed June 18. The bill legalized medically prescribed mushroom psilocybin for active military members and veterans as a treatment for PTSD. In her letter to the Senate, Gov. Katie Hobbs wrote, “Although psilocybin may be a promising treatment in the future, we do not yet have the evidence needed to support widespread clinical expansion.” HB 2393 : Vetoed April 10. The bill allowed active military members overseas to vote in presidential preference elections. In her letter to the House, Gov. Katie Hobbs wrote, “If the state were to change the manner in which political parties hold their own elections, it would be important to reflect bipartisan support.” HB 2404 : Vetoed April 10. The bill barred county recorders from updating voter rolls for people with mailing addresses out of state, except for active-duty military members and their family members. In her letter to the House, Gov. Katie Hobbs wrote, “This bill is unnecessary.”

INFO/ REGISTRATION: Mike Wold at (651) 687-9767

www.HealingMemoriesNA.org

Here’s what happened to every bill impacting veterans in Arizona this year BY ELIAS WEISS

THE WINNERS SB 1409 : Signed into law. The bill allows the Arizona Board of Regents to waive tuition for the children and spouses of military members or veterans injured in combat at public universities. SJR 1001 : Signed into law. The resolution approves the sale of four parcels of private property inside the city limits of Phoenix to the federal government on behalf of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, understood to be used for the future Phoenix VA Fisher House. HB 2246 : Signed into law. The bill establishes the Purple Star School Program to identify schools in Arizona that provide transition support to military students and their families. HB 2304 : Signed into law. The bill approves building the Buffalo Soldiers Arizona Territory Monument at Wesley Bolin Plaza in Phoenix. HB 2548 : Signed into law. The bill gives protection to military installations, ranges and National Guard sites when the municipality where that site is located takes action to change its general plan, development plan, zoning or subdivision. HB 2818 : Signed into law. The bill requires state agencies to fly flags displayed in front of state buildings at half-staff upon notification from the governor of the death of a service member from Arizona.

THE LOSERS

SB 1308 : Failed in House. The bill protected veterans from being overcharged by people or businesses that prepare, present or prosecute claims regarding a veteran’s benefits matter. SB 1426 : Failed in committees. The bill barred landlords from counting veterans’ benefits toward income in deciding whether to rent or evict. SB 1438 : Failed in committees. The bill required health insurance providers

Tune in Wednesdays at 2 p.m for the AmVetsMag.com veterans report.

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AMERICAN VETERANS Summer 2024

Summer 2024 AMERICAN VETERANS

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