House Bill No. 5286, reported by the Committee on Veterans' and Military Affairs, proposes an appropriation of funds to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill, identified as File No. 143, is set to be effective from July 1, 2024. It allocates a sum of one hundred thousand dollars from the General Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. This funding is designated for specific purposes including renewals or duplications of motor vehicle operator's licenses or identity cards for veterans, public awareness campaigns to promote assistance offered by the department and recognize veterans' service, updates and maintenance of the department's website, and the annual compilation and publication of a directory of individuals who assist veterans and their dependents in accessing services and benefits.

The bill includes insertions that specify the file number (HB5286 File No. 143) and the effective date of the new section (Section 1 July 1, 2024). The fiscal impact statement indicates that the Department of Veterans' Affairs will incur a cost of $100,000 from the General Fund in the fiscal year 2025. There is no municipal impact noted. The bill has received a joint favorable vote from the Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee with 20 yeas and no nays on March 14, 2024. The Office of Legislative Research does not analyze Special Acts, and therefore, no further analysis is provided in the document.