HB1056
To Create The Joint Committee On Military And Veterans Affairs; And To Declare An Emergency.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill proposes the creation of a "Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs" within the Arkansas General Assembly. This committee would be composed of twelve members from the House of Representatives and eight members from the Senate. The committee would be tasked with conducting continuing studies on issues related to military and veterans affairs. Bills and resolutions concerning these matters could be referred to the committee for study. The committee would be authorized to meet during legislative sessions, extended recesses, and interim periods between sessions. Members would be entitled to per diem and mileage for attending meetings. The Bureau of Legislative Research would provide staff assistance, and relevant state agencies, such as the Department of the Military and the Department of Veterans Affairs, would be available to assist the committee. The bill also includes an emergency clause, asserting that the act is immediately necessary due to the growing military presence in the state and the need to protect veterans and their families.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be military personnel, veterans, and their families in Arkansas. The creation of a dedicated joint committee suggests an increased focus on addressing their specific needs and concerns through legislative study and action. State agencies involved in military and veterans affairs, such as the Department of the Military and the Department of Veterans Affairs, would also benefit through potential collaboration and increased visibility for their work. Additionally, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate appointed to the committee would have a defined role in studying and advocating for military and veteran issues.
Who Might Suffer?
This bill is unlikely to have direct negative impacts on specific groups or entities in a way that would typically be described as 'negatively impacted.' However, if the committee's studies and recommendations lead to new policies or regulations, there could be indirect financial or administrative impacts on state agencies that are tasked with implementing those changes. The bill itself primarily focuses on establishing a deliberative body and does not propose direct mandates or prohibitions that would inherently harm specific populations or businesses. The funding for per diem and mileage for committee members would come from existing appropriations, suggesting no new direct budgetary imposition on taxpayers beyond what is already allocated for legislative activities.