[r51] Rep. Dodge's pro-military legislation recognized by Governor (5/16/2012)

Governor Daniels holds ceremonial signing for bills

STATEHOUSE— State Representative Dick Dodge (R-Pleasant Lake), member of the Veterans’ Affairs and Public Safety Committee, co-authored House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1059, the Military Family Relief Fund, during the 2012 legislative session.

Governor Mitch Daniels showed support for the legislation during a ceremonial bill signing held at the Statehouse.

The Military Family Relief Fund legislation extends the application deadline for grants from the Military Family Relief Fund from one year to three years. The grant is available for a service member or a service member’s dependent and is funded through sales of ‘Hoosier Veteran’ license plates, ‘POW-MIA’ license plates and ‘Support Our Troops’ license plates.

“It is important that we find ways to support our military men and women,” said Rep. Dodge. “Our troops deserve all the support they can get and these grants help them pay for medical services, food, housing and other family expenses.”

The Director of Veteran’s Affairs will be required to provide an annual report to the State Budget Committee concerning the grant program’s funding.

The grant is worth up to $5,000 per year through the fund. Because the end date for receiving benefits is extended from one year to three years under the new law, the grants will still be up to $5,000 per year, but military members and their families could receive up to $15,000 if they receive the grant for three years.

“These servicemen and women have given so much for their country, so it is important we find ways to help them here at home,” said Rep. Dodge. “With this new law, our military families will be able to apply for these much needed grants.”

The law is effective on July 1, 2012. Though funded through the sale of military license plates, direct donations are accepted and can be made to the Military Family Relief Fund without purchasing a license plate by making checks out to the Military Family Relief Fund and mailed to Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs at 302 W. Washington St., Rm. E120, Indianapolis, Ind. 46204.

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