FY 2009-10 MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS BUDGET S.B. 250 (S-4): SENATE-PASSED


[Please see the PDF version of this analysis, if available, to view this image.]






Senate Bill 250 (S-4 as passed by the Senate)
Committee: Appropriations

FY 2008-09 Year-to-Date Gross Appropriation $199,001,000
Changes from FY 2008-09 Year-to-Date:
  1. Veterans Service Organization (VSO) Grants. The Governor originally recommended funding for 11 grantees for a total of $4,029,600, the initial FY 2008-09 level, but reduced current-year funding by $1.0 million via E.O. 2009-22. The Senate provided $4,029,600 for the program and provided for counseling contracts to be established. 1,000,000
2. Military Training Sites. The Governor and Senate included Federal funds for increased maintenance and support for military training sites, including Camp Grayling and Fort Custer. 496,000
3. Military Retirement. The Governor and Senate added GF/GP funds to pay for anticipated payments to retired Michigan Army and Air National Guard per P.A. 150 of 1967. 190,300
4. Starbase Program. The Governor and Senate included additional Federal funds for science-related elementary school education program to provide training for Starbase directors from around the country. 550,000
5. Headquarters and Armories. The Governor and Senate added Federal funds available for communications and personnel costs. 500,000
6. Capital Outlay Projects. Completion of major FY 2008-09 projects leaves capital outlay special maintenance for military facilities for FY 2009-10 at $15.0 million, Federal. Includes reduction of $450,000 GF/GP in matching funds. (38,400,000)
7. Medicare Authorization Increase. The Governor and Senate included additional Federal funds eligible for use by the Grand Rapids and D.J. Jacobetti veterans' homes for pharmacy-related costs. 900,000
8. DIT Office Upgrade. The Governor and Senate included an upgrade to Microsoft Office 2007 for the Department, which includes $16,400 GF/GP. 47,800
9. Guard Education Assistance Program. The Governor included a reduction of $350,000 to the program. The Senate reduced it by an additional $400,000. (750,000)
10. State Active Duty. Governor and Senate included a restricted fund increase to cover additional duties for the Guard at the Labor Day bridge walk. 10,000
11. Internal Audit. The Governor and Senate included the transfer of this function to the Department of Management and Budget, including $72,500 GF/GP. (111,700)
12. Adjustments for FY 2008-09. Adjustments include Executive Orders, supplementals, and transfers. (16,405,700)
13. War Memorial. The Governor and Senate included the elimination of a one-time GF/GP grant for the rehab of the War Memorial at the State Fairgrounds. (5,000)
14. Executive Order Annualization. The Governor and Senate included a reduction representing the remainder (to make a full year) of the 2% GF/GP cut from E.O 2008-21.   (84,100)
15. Information Technology. The Governor and Senate included a reduction representing the remainder (to make a full year) of the 2% GF/GP cut from E.O 2008-21. . (400)
16. Economic Adjustments. The Governor and Senate's overall economic adjustments included $526,800 GF/GP and $7,800 GF/GP for DIT. 1,873,300
17. Comparison to the Governor's Recommendation. The Senate is $400,000 Gross and $400,000 GF/GP under the Governor.
Total Changes ($50,189,500)
  FY 2008-09 Senate-Passed Gross Appropriation $148,811,500
FY 2009-10 MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS BUDGET BOILERPLATE HIGHLIGHTS

Changes from FY 2008-09 Year to Date:
Deleted Boilerplate Sections
  1. Privatization. Required privatization plan notice. (Sec. 207)
2. Regional Training Institute (RTI). Provides for management and funding of RTI. (Sec. 229)
3. RTI Guidelines for Use. Lists acceptable users of the RTI in Battle Creek. (Sec. 230)
4. Impact of Public Acts. Requires report on policy changes made due to new public acts and the impact on small businesses. (Sec. 231)
5. Travel Limitation. Provides guidelines for travel outside of State for professional development purposes. (Sec. 237)
6. Veterans Service Organization (VSO) Grants. Provides guidelines for grants to VSOs. (Sec. 501)
7. Post, Posthumous Funds. Language requiring 30-day notification prior to the Department altering the spending plan of the Board of Managers at a veteran's home. (Sec 604)
  Amended Boilerplate Sections
  8. Guard Education Assistance Program. Reduced program from $1.1 million to $750,000. (Sec. 302)
9. Contingency Fund Transfer Process. Increases Federal funds cap from $5.0 to $10.0 million. (Sec. 232)
  New Boilerplate Sections
  10. General Fund Lapse. Requires report of GF/GP lapse estimates by 9-30-10. (Sec. 233 )
11. Use of Lapse Revenues. Requires transfer of any lapse funds to special maintenance projects for State-owned armories. (Sec. 234)
12. Facility Partnerships. Calls for the Department to seek partnerships with reserve units in the use of facilities. (Sec. 235)
13. Grand Rapids Veterans Home. Requires study on impact of privatizing resident care aides at the home. (Sec. 604)
14. Veterans Benefits Counseling. Provides for the coordination of veterans services within the Department's Veterans Affairs Directorate. (Sec. 707)

Date Completed: 6-17-09 Fiscal Analyst: Bruce Baker Bill Analysis @ http://www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations. HImil_sp