Establishes the veterans recruiter assistants program for the New York national guard and a fund to provide for recruiting incentive awards

3 Co-sponsors

• Daniel Burling
• Michael Montesano
• Gary Finch

3 Multi-sponsors

• William A. Barclay
• Stephen Hawley
• Dierdre Scozzafava

BILL NUMBER:A10342

Title of bill

An act to amend the military law and the state finance law, in relation to creating the veterans recruiter assistants program and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose

This bill would create the New York State Veterans Recruiter Assistants Program ("V-RAP") to encourage veterans of the United States Armed Forces to assist in the recruitment of qualified men and women to enlist in the New York National Guard.

Summary of specific provisions

Section one of the bill would state the legislative findings and intent.

Section two of this bill would amend the Military Law to establish the New York State Veterans Recruiter Assistants Program ("V-RAP") for the New York National Guard. The V-RAP would provide for the payment of up to $500 to honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces who successfully facilitate the first-time enlistment of a quali- fied candidate into the New York National Guard.

This section would further provide that eligibility for V-RAP be deter- mined by the Adjutant General, who shall promulgate rules and procedures necessary to the implementation of V-RAP.

Section three of this bill would amend the State Finance Law which would establish a Veterans Recruiter Assistant Program Account in the Miscel- laneous Special Revenue Fund for the purpose of the administration of the V-RAP program.

Section four of this bill would mandate an annual report by the Division of Military and Naval Affairs ("DMNA") to the Governor, Temporary Presi- dent of the Senate and Speaker of the Assembly on the operation and effectiveness of the program.

Justification

Our nation's war on terrorism has required that the members of the New York National Guard step forward to play a critical role in the security of both the State and the Nation. The challenges which have been ably met by the New York National Guard can continue to be overcome only as long as the New York National Guard continues to attract highly qualified citizen soldiers committed to the protection of the State and Nation.

Veterans of the Armed Forces are uniquely qualified to recognize and encourage potential recruits to the military service of the state. This legislation would create the V-RAP as a complement to the federal G-RAP, thereby providing a tangible incentive for a large pool of veterans, familiar with the importance and value of military service, to share their insights into the benefits of such service with potential recruits at this critical time.

This legislation would further provide for annual reports to the Gover- nor and Legislature regarding the efficacy of the program, and would expire in five years unless affirmatively extended by legislative action.

Prior legislative history

2008 - S.3854-A - Passed Senate.

Fiscal implications

The Division of the Budget has estimated that the fiscal impact of this legislation would be less than $150,000 annually, and could be maintained without an additional states appropriation.

Effective date

This act would take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed five years after the date on which it shall have become a law.