HB3019

SECTION 1. Chapter 363, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Part iii. veterans bonus

§363-A Veterans bonus; qualification. (a) A veterans bonus shall be paid to any veteran, or to the dependents of a deceased veteran, if the veteran:

(1) Was a legal resident of the State for at least six months immediately preceding entry into the armed services of the United States;

(2) Is still in the armed services of the United States or was separated or discharged from the armed services of the United States honorably or under honorable conditions;

(3) Served for at least thirty days in active duty in the armed services of the United States; and

(4) Received or is eligible to receive, for service between August 2, 1990 and the termination date:

(A) The armed forces expeditionary medal;

(B) Kosovo campaign medal;

(D) Global war on terrorism service medal;

(E) Southwest Asia service medal; or

(F) Other United States campaign or service medal awarded for participation outside the boundaries of the United States in combat operations against hostile forces; or

(5) Served at least thirty days in the armed services of the United States between September 11, 2001 and the termination date.

(b) The act of performing military duty in the State at an assigned military station shall not by itself satisfy the residency requirement for veterans bonus purposes.

(d) The office shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 as necessary for the administration of this part.

§363-B Definitions. For the purposes of this part:

"Termination date" means the date that is established by legislative act as the last day that qualifying service as a veteran is calculated for a veterans bonus.

"Veteran" means any person who has served in any of the armed services of the United States.

§363-C Hawaii national guard or federal reserves; qualification. A veteran who does not satisfy the residency requirement pursuant to section 363-A, but who would otherwise qualify for a veterans bonus based on service in a unit of the Hawaii national guard or a Hawaii-based unit of the armed forces reserve shall be eligible for the veterans bonus if the veteran is not eligible for a similar benefit from any other state, territory, possession, or commonwealth of the United States.

§363-D Veterans bonus; amount. (a) A qualifying veteran pursuant to section 363-A(a)(4) shall be paid $150 for the first month of service in any area qualifying for any of the medals listed under subsection 363-A(a)(4), and $50 for each subsequent month of service between August 2, 1990 and the termination date. The maximum veterans bonus amount for a qualifying veteran pursuant to subsection 363-A(a)(4), shall be $500.

(b) A qualifying veteran pursuant to subsection 363-A(a)(5) shall be paid $100 for the first month of active duty between September 11, 2005 and the termination date, and $20 for each subsequent month of active duty during that period. The maximum veterans bonus amount for a qualifying veteran pursuant to subsection 363-A(a)(5), shall be $240.

(c) The maximum veterans bonus amount for a qualifying veteran who qualifies pursuant to both subsections 363-A(a)(4) and (a)(5) shall be $500."

SECTION 2. Chapter 363, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

1. By designating sections 363-1 to 363-3.5 as part I and inserting a title before section 363-1 to read:

"part I. office of veterans' services"

2. By designating sections 363-4 to 363-12 as part II and inserting a title before section 363-4 to read:

"part ii. miscellaneous provisions"

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for veterans bonus payments.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of defense for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. In codifying the new sections added by section 1 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	3019
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII