The bill amends the Vietnam Veteran Era Bonus Act by updating definitions and eligibility criteria for veterans seeking service bonuses. It clarifies the "period of service" to include the time from January 1, 1961, to May 7, 1975, and specifies that a "veteran" must have completed at least 190 days of honorable service or be listed as missing in action. The bill also introduces a new category of eligibility for veterans who were awarded the National Defense Service Medal during the specified period, allowing them to qualify for a service bonus.

Additionally, the bill modifies the application process for benefits, establishing that applications for service bonuses must be filed before specific deadlines: July 1, 1980, and May 7, 2028, for veterans who were not previously eligible. The adjutant general is tasked with determining the official records necessary to verify eligibility. The amendments aim to ensure that more veterans can access benefits and that the definitions used in the act are clear and up-to-date.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 35.1022, 35.1031