Brief overview of Proposed Bills, both House and Senate
HB 20 - To amend section 124.23 of the Revised Code to eliminate the requirement that a veteran be a resident of Ohio to qualify to receive the veterans preference on civil service examinations.
HB 48 - To provide two weeks of leave for any employee who is the spouse or parent of a member of the uniformed services who is called to active duty or is injured, wounded, or hospitalized while serving in a combat zone.
HB 62 - To require relevant military experience to be considered by state licensing boards and agencies and by private state contractors and to provide a waiver of a licensure or certification fee if a veteran is within six months of separation from active military duty.
HB 64 - To enable members of the armed services and the Ohio National Guard to terminate a rental agreement when the member receives military orders to deploy or for a permanent change of station
SB 11 – To amend section 5747.113 and to enact section 5907.111 of the Revised Code to allow taxpayers to contribute a portion of their income tax refunds to the Ohio Veterans' Home Agency.
SB 20 – To amend sections 9.44 and 124.181 of the Revised Code to permit state employees to receive longevity and vacation credit for prior military service.
SB 88 - To amend section 5923.05 of the Revised Code to grant annual military leave of up to 768 hours to firefighters and those other public employees who do not work a traditional workweek of 40 hours and to entitle firefighters and these public employees to use such leave to cover an entire work shift any part of which was used to perform military service.
OTHER AREAS OF INTEREST:
GI BILL – The Department of Veterans affairs recently announced that they are accepting and processing applications for the post-911 GI Bill. The application is available online, www.gibill.va.gov, and after submission of the application, you will receive notification of the VA’s decision regarding your eligibility.
TRICARE Reserve Select – TRICARE provides a website covering their various programs. For those who are enrolled in TRICARE or want more information about their health plans, visit www.tricare.mil/trs for all the latest information.
ARNG Retirement Guide – The Army has recently published a retirement guide for the Army National Guard. The guide is offered to make it much easier for the soldier to understand the chronological steps they need to take before their actual retirement. The Guide is available online at the Army G-1 Retirement Services homepage: www.armyg1.army.mil/retire.