SB 573 - This act modifies several provisions relating to the armed services.INCOME TAX DEDUCTION FOR NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVES
This act allows members of the National Guard or reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States to deduct such military income from his or her Missouri adjusted gross income to determine such taxpayer's Missouri taxable income. The percentage of such income that may be deducted shall be phased in between tax years 2020 and 2024 in twenty percent increments.
The income tax deduction authorized by this act shall apply to income received as salary or compensation in performance of Inactive Duty for Training (IDT) of the National Guard, Annual Training Status (AT) of the National Guard, or in reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States. The deduction shall not apply to income received while engaging in civilian federal service, including civil service positions requiring the wearing of military uniform and military affiliation. (Section 143.175)
This provision is substantially similar to SB 144 (2017).
DISPLAY OF POW/MIA FLAG
This act requires, rather than allows, all state buildings to display the POW/MIA flag. This act also requires the Board of Public Buildings to reach out to local veterans organizations to obtain a donated flag if a state building does not possess a flag. (Sections 8.012, 253.048)
This provision is identical to HB 1290 (2018) and HCS/HB 817 (2017).
LINKED DEPOSIT PROGRAM
This act allows veteran-owned small businesses to participate in the Missouri Linked Deposit Program, and requires eligible lending institutions to give priority to veteran-owned small businesses when considering which eligible small businesses should receive reduced-rate loans. (Section 30.750)
This act also requires a veteran who has received a small business loan through the Linked Deposit Program to complete a boots-to-business program and to be assigned a mentor for one year following approval of the loan. (Section 620.3250)
These provisions are identical to HB 1503 (2018).
SHOW-ME HEROES PROGRAM
This act modifies the Show-Me Heroes program by extending the period of time in which a family may receive services under the program from one year following discharge from deployment to five years.
This act also repeals a provision requiring the Department of Economic Development to structure contracts under the program such that payment is based on delivering services as well as performance.(Section 620.515)
This provision is identical to HB 1492 (2018) and HB 1040 (2017).
HIRING AND PROMOTION PREFERENCE
This act allows any private employer to grant preference in hiring and promotion to any veteran, spouse of a disabled veteran who has a service-connected permanent and total disability, or to a surviving spouse of a deceased veteran. (Section 285.250)
This provision is identical to HB 1257 (2018) and HB 1742 (2018), and is substantially similar to SB 864 (2018).
VETERANS' BILL OF RIGHTS
This act establishes the Veterans' Bill of Rights, which provides certain rights to Missouri veterans, as described in the act. (Section 42.380)
This provision is identical to HB 2193 (2018).
MISSOURI MILITARY COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT
This act creates the "Missouri Military Community Reinvestment Program" within the Department of Economic Development to assist military communities in supporting and sustaining their installations, to encourage communities to initiate coordinated response programs and action plans in advance of federal government realignment and closure decisions, and to support community efforts to attract new or expanded military missions.
The Department and the Missouri Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission shall invite public comments on the administration of the program and jointly develop and establish procedures for implementation of the program. The Department shall evaluate each application and make recommendations to the Commission, which will approve or reject any recommended application. Upon approval, the Department will administer grant awards. The aggregate amount of grants shall not exceed $300,000 per year. Eligible amounts for grants include certain match requirements based on an applicant's years in operation. Applications shall include a coordinated program of work or a plan of action specifying how the project will be administered and accomplished, including a plan for ensuring cooperation between civilian and military authorities in the conduct of activities, and a plan for public participation. The grants may be used for public-to-public partnerships with military installations, local or regional marketing to communicate the value of military installations and military service, programs to assist with the diversification of the economy of the community,
performing research regarding factors that affect attractiveness of the community for future military investments, programs to develop or improve the quality of life in military communities, and developing plans to reuse closed or realigned military installations or facilities. (Sections 41.1010, 620.3300)
This provision is identical to HB 2339 (2018).
JOSHUA NORBERG