SPONSOR: Basye
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Veterans by a vote of 15 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Administrative Oversight by a vote of 4 to 3.
Upon voter approval, this proposed Constitutional amendment requires that beginning January 1, 2021, an amount equal to 10% of the total annual revenue collected up to $2 million dollars, of the Missouri Veterans' Health and Care Fund (the fund made up of fees and taxes resulting from the sale of medical marijuana) be appropriated to the University of Missouri School of Law Veterans Clinic. The $2 million year cap will be adjusted every three years for inflation.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the University of Missouri School of Law Veterans Clinic assists Missouri veterans in receiving VA disability rating decisions, increases in VA disabilities ratings, and discharge upgrades at no cost to veterans. Testimony was given that these services enhance the financial situation of veterans who are disabled as a result of their military service.
Additionally, supporters claimed that the clinic is mainly funded by private donations and that this resolution would provide dedicated revenue stream for the clinic and the services it provides to veterans.
Testifying for the bill were Representative Basye; Angela Drake, University of Missouri School of Law Veterans Clinic; Brent Filbert, University of Missouri School of Law Veterans Clinic; Justin Phillip Brickey, University of Missouri School of Law Veterans Clinic; and Erik J. Anthes.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that the revenue from medical marijuana was earmarked for funding services the Missouri Veterans Commission provides veterans throughout the state and that this resolution would divert funding from those services provided by the commission.
Testifying against the bill was The American Legion and Missouri Association of Veterans Organizations.