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Minutes for HB2021 - Committee on Ways and Means
Short Title
Authorizing the issuance of bonds for the construction of a state veterans home.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 25, 2021
Chairperson Billinger opened the hearing on HB 2021. Martin de Boer, Legislative Research Department, provided an overview of the bill. (Attachment 1)
Representative Pat Proctor, 41st District, spoke in support of the bill. The proceeds from the bonds are only 35 percent of the total cost of the facility and the rest would come from the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs under a grant program. The actual cost of construction may well be less than the current estimate of $30 million and these bonds would only be issued if the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs approves the grant application. Representative Proctor responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 2)
Senator Jeff Pittman, 5th District, testified in favor of the bill. This bill has been in progress for a couple of years but didn't proceed last year due to pandemic closure. It gives the authority to bond and no bonds will be issued until the federal government funding is approved. The two current homes are in south and southwest Kansas. Studies have shown that the concentration of veterans has shifted to the northeast part of Kansas. Senator Pittman responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 3)
Representative Chris Croft, 8th District, spoke in support of the bill. This is extremely important to the veterans in this area and there has been a great deal of work behind the scenes to get this bill through. Veterans and service organizations continue to indicate that building a veterans' home in northeast Kansas is their number one priority. (Attachment 4)
Gregg Burden, Kansas Commission on Veterans' Affairs Office, spoke as a proponent of the bill. Construction costs are going up so by the time this gets through the process it may be a smaller facility than originally desired. They have designed a smaller facility that would include a plan to expand in the future. Mr. Burden responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 5)
Eugene Bradley, Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Kansas, spoke in favor of the bill. The definition of a "veteran" continues to expand to include more national guardsmen so the number of veterans that will be served by senior care facilities will likely grow. (Attachment 6)
Written testimony in support of the bill was submitted by:
Representative Tim Johnson, 38th District (Attachment 7)
Michael Kelly, Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Ret.) (Attachment 8)
Michelle Sweeney, Military Officers Association of America-Kaw Valley Chapter (Attachment 9)
Jack Parish, U.S. Army (Ret.) (Attachment 10)
There being no further conferees, Chairperson Billinger closed the hearing on HB 2021.
