The bill revises the definitions of "veteran" and "disabled veteran" in Kansas law, aligning them with federal regulations. It defines a "disabled veteran" as an individual who has served in active military service, received an honorable discharge, and has a service-related disability with a service-connected evaluation percentage of 50% or greater. The bill also eliminates the requirement for active military service members to obtain occupational licenses, facilitating their transition to civilian careers. Additionally, it allows veterans to request identification cards that indicate their veteran status and establishes a process for issuing distinctive license plates for veterans of specific military units.

Moreover, the bill enhances the management of occupational licenses and identification cards for military servicemembers and their spouses, allowing for electronic renewals and temporary permits for applicants whose qualifications do not fully meet Kansas requirements. It mandates that licensing bodies issue both paper and electronic credentials and develop a uniform license verification portal by January 1, 2025. The bill also exempts military spouses from fees related to obtaining or renewing occupational credentials, while ensuring confidentiality in data collection. Furthermore, it clarifies eligibility criteria for homestead claims, expands definitions to include various groups, and repeals outdated statutes to streamline the process for those qualifying for benefits.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 65-6112, 65-6119, 65-6120, 65-6129a, 65-6135, 65-6144, 65-6121, 65-6149a
As Amended by Senate Committee: 65-6112, 65-6119, 65-6120, 65-6121, 65-6129a, 65-6135, 65-6144, 65-6149a
Enrolled: 8-160, 8-1, 8-243, 8-1324, 22-4901, 32-934, 48-3406, 48-3601, 50-676, 73-201, 73-230, 73-1239, 73-1244, 75-3740, 79-4502