VETERANS MEMORIAL PROPERTY S.B. 881 (S-2) & 882 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 881 (Substitute S-2 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)
Senate Bill 882 (Substitute S-1 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)
Sponsor: Senator Bruce Patterson
Committee: Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs
CONTENT
Senate Bill 881 (S-2) would create the "Veterans Memorial Property Commission Act" to establish the Veterans Memorial Property Commission, which would consist of seven members appointed by the Governor from a list of recommended members provided by the Senate Majority Leader and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The Commission would have to determine whether any military-related site in the State should be acquired, by purchase or otherwise, so that it could be protected as a military or veterans memorial site. The Commission could recommend to the Legislature the acquisition of specific property if a majority of the members voted to make that recommendation. After reviewing the Commission's report, the Legislature would have to determine how and whether to proceed.
Upon a request from a member of the Legislature concerning an existing military-related site or veteran's memorial on public property that could be subject to encroachment, the Commission would have to review that request and make recommendations to the Legislature on addressing the encroachment, including whether to relocate the memorial.
Members of the Commission would serve without compensation, but could be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
The bill is tie-barred to Senate Bill 882.
Senate Bill 882 (S-1) would create the "Veterans Memorial Property Act" to specify that the Veterans Memorial Park and any other property owned by the State that was dedicated to memorializing veterans could be used solely for the purpose of honoring and memorializing veterans of the State. The bill also specifies that the boundaries of State-owned property that was dedicated to memorializing veterans could not be encroached, and the property could not be desecrated.
A person who violated the bill would be responsible for a civil infraction and could be ordered to pay a maximum civil fine of $500.
Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker
FISCAL IMPACT
Senate Bill 881 (S-2). The costs of the Commission would be minimal for actual and necessary expenses of Commission members. The actual purchase of property would be contingent upon appropriations by the Legislature.
Senate Bill 882 (S-1). Enforcement costs and fines would depend on the number of violations.
Date Completed: 3-16-06 Fiscal Analyst: Bill Bowerman
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb881&882/0506