Bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Relating to: the definition of “veteran” for purposes of certain state veterans benefits.
- Introduced, stopped here
- Passes Senate, not reached
- Passes Assembly, not reached
- Governor signs, not reached
- Law, not reached
Unfamiliar terms? Glossary
What this bill does
Plain-language analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill expands the definition of “veteran” under state law to include any current or former member of the national guard who met the requirements for satisfactory completion of his or her initial term of obligated service and received an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. The bill extends most veterans benefits to anyone who meets this expanded definition of veteran; however, admission to a state veterans home and burial in a veterans cemetery are not included benefits as those benefits are subject to federal regulation.
Sponsors
Introduced by: Carpenter (D) , Dassler-Alfheim (D) , Marklein (R) , Testin (R)
Full history
- Feb 6, 2026 · Senate
Introduced by Senators Testin, Marklein, Carpenter and Dassler-Alfheim; cosponsored by Representatives Maxey, Kurtz, Franklin, Tucker, Behnke, Brown, Dittrich, Goeben, Green, Gundrum, Hurd, Kaufert, Knodl, Murphy, Novak, Sinicki, Stubbs and Wichgers
- Feb 6, 2026 · Senate
Read first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Veteran and Military Affairs
- Feb 16, 2026 · Senate
Representative Udell added as a cosponsor
- Feb 17, 2026 · Senate
Representative Melotik added as a cosponsor
- Mar 12, 2026 · Senate
Representative Joers added as a cosponsor
- Mar 19, 2026 · Senate
Representative Emerson added as a cosponsor
- Mar 23, 2026 · Senate
Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1