Legislative Analysis
Phone: (517) 373-8080
VIETNAM VETERAN RECOGNITION CERTIFICATE http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
House Bill 4065 as reported from committee Analysis available at
Sponsor: Rep. Robert J. Bezotte http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Committee: Military, Veterans and Homeland Security
Complete to 3-9-22
SUMMARY:
House Bill 4065 would amend the Michigan Military Act to authorize the adjutant general
to award the Michigan Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate in the name of the
legislature.
An individual meeting all of the following could be awarded the certificate:
• He or she is a Michigan citizen or was a Michigan citizen while serving in the
Armed Forces of the United States.
• He or she was honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances.
• He or she served during the Vietnam War era (the period beginning February 28,
1961, and ending May 7, 1975).
Armed Forces of the United States would mean the United States Army, Navy, Marine
Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard, including the Michigan National Guard and reserve
components.
The certificate would also include an option of a special designation developed by the
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA) that would recognize individuals who
were exposed during their service to dioxin or phenoxy herbicides (such as those in Agent
Orange). To receive this designation, the individual would have to demonstrate in a form
and manner specified by MVA that, while serving in the armed forces, he or she was
exposed to dioxin or phenoxy herbicides, as evidenced by a medical diagnosis of a disease
associated with dioxin or phenoxy herbicides and any other proof required by the adjutant
general.
The certificate could be presented to a designated representative of a deceased certificate
recipient. An individual could not be awarded more than one certificate.
The adjutant general, in conjunction with the director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs
Agency, would have to develop and publish rules to carry out the bill’s provisions.
MCL 32.582
BRIEF DISCUSSION:
Committee testimony discussed the importance to Michigan of all veterans and of giving
recognition to veterans. However, as the bill sponsor indicated, Michigan currently does
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 not have a certificate program to recognize Vietnam veterans. While some questions were
raised in committee as to how Michigan veterans would be made aware of the certificate
program, the bill was ultimately unanimously reported.
BACKGROUND:
House Bill 4065 is substantially similar to House Bill 5601 of the 2019-20 legislative
session, which was referred to second committee in December 2020.1
FISCAL IMPACT:
The bill could result in minimal costs to the state legislature and the Michigan Veterans
Affairs Agency (MVAA) of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and would
have no impact on local units of government. Minimal administrative MVAA staff time
costs would come from developing and publishing rules for granting the award. The
legislature could incur minimal monetary costs from developing and producing copies of
certificates to awardees of the Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate. The bill is
permissive and does not require certificates to be awarded. Costs to the legislature and
MVAA would be able to be absorbed through ongoing appropriations.
POSITIONS:
A representative of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs testified in support of
the bill. (2-22-22)
The Marine Corps League indicated a neutral position on the bill. (2-22-22)
Legislative Analysts: Emily S. Smith
Fiscal Analyst: Michael Cnossen
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
1
HB 5601: http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2020-HB-5601.
House Fiscal Agency HB 4065 as reported Page 2 of 2


Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 32.582
As Passed by the House: 32.582
As Passed by the Senate: 32.582
House Concurred Bill: 32.582
Public Act: 32.582
House Enrolled Bill: 32.582