FIRST CONFERENCE REPORT
The Committee of Conference on the matters of difference between the two Houses concerning
Senate Bill No. 128, entitled
Recommends:
First: That the House recede from the Substitute of the House as passed by the House.
Second: That the Senate and House agree to the Substitute of the Senate as passed by the Senate, amended to read as follows:
(attached)
Third: That the Senate and House agree to the title of the bill to read as follows:
A bill to make and supplement appropriations for the department of military and veterans affairs for the fiscal years ending September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2016; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.
_______________________ ________________________
Mike Nofs Larry C. Inman
_______________________ ________________________
Patrick Colbeck Cindy Gamrat
_______________________ ________________________
David Knezek Henry Yanez
Conferees for the Senate Conferees for the House
SUBSTITUTE FOR
SENATE BILL NO. 128
A bill to make and supplement appropriations for the
department of military and veterans affairs for the fiscal years
ending September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2016; and to provide
for the expenditure of the appropriations.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
PART 1
LINE-ITEM APPROPRIATIONS
Sec. 101. There is appropriated for the department of military
and veterans affairs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016,
from the following funds:
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
APPROPRIATION SUMMARY
Full-time equated unclassified positions.......... 9.0
Full-time equated classified positions.......... 888.5
GROSS APPROPRIATION.................................... $ 166,953,700
Total interdepartmental grants and intradepartmental
transfers............................................ 99,300
Schedule of interdepartmental grant and
intradepartmental transfer revenue sources:
IDG, state police............................. 99,300
ADJUSTED GROSS APPROPRIATION........................... $ 166,854,400
Total federal revenues................................. 90,208,600
Schedule of federal revenue sources:
DOD-DOA-NGB................................ 59,931,200
USDVA-VHA.................................. 27,136,600
Federal counter narcotics revenues............ 100,000
HHS-HCFA, title XIX, Medicaid.................. 88,100
HHS-HCFA, Medicare, hospital insurance...... 2,952,700
Total local revenues................................... 1,497,400
Schedule of local revenue sources:
Local - school aid fund..................... 1,497,400
Total private revenues................................. 739,600
Schedule of private revenue sources:
Private - veterans' homes post and posthumous
funds...................................... 540,000
Private donations............................. 199,600
Total other state restricted revenues.................. 23,221,500
Schedule of restricted revenue sources:
Billeting fund.............................. 1,500,000
Lease revenue.................................. 12,200
Income and assessments..................... 13,992,800
Mackinac Bridge authority...................... 70,000
Military family relief fund................. 1,000,000
Michigan National Guard armory construction
fund..................................... 1,000,000
Michigan veterans' trust fund............... 5,200,100
Rental fees................................... 346,400
Test project fees............................. 100,000
State general fund/general purpose..................... $ 51,187,300
State general fund/general purpose schedule:
Ongoing state general fund/general
purpose................................. 48,187,300
One-time state general fund/general
purpose.................................. 3,000,000
Sec. 102. MILITARY
Full-time equated unclassified positions.......... 9.0
Full-time equated classified positions.......... 324.0
Unclassified positions................................. $ 1,390,700
Departmental and National Guard operations............. 63,639,400
Schedule of programs:
Support services.............................. 1,791,300
Armories and joint force readiness........... 15,879,100
National Guard training facilities
and air bases.............................. 33,399,400
Michigan youth challeNGe academy.............. 4,541,300
Military family relief fund..................... 600,000
Starbase grant................................ 2,322,000
National Guard tuition assistance program..... 3,741,600
Information technology services and
projects................................... 1,364,700
GROSS APPROPRIATION..................................... $ 65,030,100
Appropriated from:
Interdepartmental grant revenues....................... 99,300
Federal revenues....................................... 45,444,400
Local revenues......................................... 1,497,400
Private revenues....................................... 199,600
State restricted revenues............................... 3,023,000
State general fund/general purpose..................... $ 14,766,400
Sec. 103. MICHIGAN VETERANS AFFAIRS AGENCY
Full-time equated classified positions.......... 564.5
Michigan veterans affairs agency........................ $ 16,098,000
Schedule of programs:
Michigan veterans affairs agency
administration................................ 6,964,400
Veterans service grants........................ 3,733,500
Targeted grants.................................. 200,000
Veterans' trust fund administration........... 1,453,600
Veterans' trust fund grants................... 3,746,500
Veterans' homes......................................... $ 66,325,600
Schedule of programs:
Grand Rapids home for veterans............... 45,854,000
Board of managers (Grand Rapids home)........... 665,000
D.J. Jacobetti home for veterans............. 19,531,600
Board of managers (Jacobetti home)............ 275,000
GROSS APPROPRIATION..................................... $ 82,423,600
Appropriated from:
Federal revenues....................................... 29,764,200
Private revenues....................................... 540,000
State restricted revenues.............................. 19,198,500
State general fund/general purpose..................... $ 32,920,900
Sec. 104. CAPITAL OUTLAY
Capital outlay.......................................... $ 16,500,000
Schedule of programs:
Special maintenance – National Guard......... 15,000,000
Special maintenance – veterans' homes........... 500,000
Land and acquisitions....................... 1,000,000
GROSS APPROPRIATION..................................... $ 16,500,000
Appropriated from:
Federal revenues....................................... 15,000,000
State restricted revenues.............................. 1,000,000
State general fund/general purpose..................... $ 500,000
Sec. 105. ONE-TIME APPROPRIATIONS
Special maintenance – National Guard.................... 3,000,000
GROSS APPROPRIATION..................................... $ 3,000,000
Appropriated from:
State general fund/general purpose...................... $ 3,000,000
PART 1B
SUPPLEMENTAL LINE-ITEM APPROPRIATIONS
Sec. 151. There is appropriated for the department of military
and veterans affairs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015,
from the following funds:
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
APPROPRIATION SUMMARY
Full-time equated unclassified positions.......... 0.0
Full-time equated classified positions............ 0.0
GROSS APPROPRIATION.................................... $ 4,995,700
Total interdepartmental grants and intradepartmental
transfers............................................ 0
ADJUSTED GROSS APPROPRIATION........................... $ 4,995,700
Total federal revenues................................. 3,995,700
Total local revenues................................... 0
Total private revenues................................. 1,000,000
Total other state restricted revenues.................. 0
State general fund/general purpose..................... $ 0
Sec. 152. Military
Full-time equated unclassified positions.......... 0.0
Full-time equated classified positions............ 0.0
Unclassified positions................................. $ 0
Departmental and National Guard operations............. 4,995,700
Schedule of programs:
Michigan youth challeNGe academy............ 4,995,700
GROSS APPROPRIATION..................................... $ 4,995,700
Appropriated from:
Federal revenues....................................... 3,995,700
Private revenues....................................... 1,000,000
State general fund/general purpose..................... $ 0
PART 2
PROVISIONS CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015-2016
GENERAL SECTIONS
Sec. 201. Pursuant to section 30 of article IX of the state
constitution of 1963, total state spending from state resources
under part 1 for fiscal year 2015-2016 is $74,408,800.00 and state
spending from state resources to be paid to local units of
government for fiscal year 2015-2016 is $102,400.00. The itemized
statement below identifies appropriations from which spending to
local units of government will occur:
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
National Guard operations.............................. $ 52,400
Schedule of programs:
Payments in lieu of taxes...................... 52,400
Michigan veterans affairs agency....................... $ 50,000
Schedule of programs:
County counselor education and training
expenses...................................... 50,000
TOTAL.................................................. $ 102,400
Sec. 202. The appropriations authorized under this part and
part 1 are subject to the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431,
MCL 18.1101 to 18.1594.
Sec. 203. As used in this part and part 1:
(a) "Core services" means that phrase as defined in section
373 of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1373.
(b) "Department" means the department of military and veterans
affairs.
(c) "DOD" means the United States Department of Defense.
(d) "DOD-DOA-NGB" means the DOD Department of the Army,
National Guard Bureau.
(e) "FTE" means full-time equated.
(f) "HCFA" means the Health Care Financing Administration, now
renamed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
(g) "HHS" means the United States Department of Health and
Human Services.
(h) "HVAC" means heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
(i) "IDG" means interdepartmental grant.
(j) "MVAA" means the Michigan veterans affairs agency.
(k) "Subcommittees" means all members of the subcommittees of
the senate and house appropriations committees with jurisdiction
over the budget of the department.
(l) "USDVA" means the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs.
(m) "USDVA-VHA" means the USDVA Veterans Health
Administration.
(n) "VSO" means veterans service organization.
(o) "Work project" means that term as defined in section 404
of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1404, and
that meets the criteria in section 451a(1) of the management and
budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1451a.
Sec. 206. (1) In addition to the funds appropriated in part 1,
there is appropriated an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.00 for
federal contingency funds. These funds are not available for
expenditure until they have been transferred to another line item
in part 1 under section 393(2) of the management and budget act,
1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1393.
(2) In addition to the funds appropriated in part 1, there is
appropriated an amount not to exceed $2,000,000.00 for state
restricted contingency funds. These funds are not available for
expenditure until they have been transferred to another line item
in part 1 under section 393(2) of the management and budget act,
1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1393.
(3) In addition to the funds appropriated in part 1, there is
appropriated an amount not to exceed $100,000.00 for local
contingency funds. These funds are not available for expenditure
until they have been transferred to another line item in part 1
under section 393(2) of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431,
MCL 18.1393.
(4) In addition to the funds appropriated in part 1, there is
appropriated an amount not to exceed $100,000.00 for private
contingency funds. These funds are not available for expenditure
until they have been transferred to another line item in part 1
under section 393(2) of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431,
MCL 18.1393.
Sec. 207. The department shall cooperate with the department
of technology, management, and budget to maintain a searchable
website that is accessible by the public at no cost that includes,
but is not limited to, all of the following:
(a) Fiscal year-to-date expenditures by category.
(b) Fiscal year-to-date expenditures by appropriation unit.
(c) Fiscal year-to-date payments to a selected vendor,
including the vendor name, payment date, payment amount, and
payment description.
(d) The number of active department employees by job
classification.
(e) Job specifications and wage rates.
Sec. 208. The departments and agencies receiving
appropriations in part 1 shall use the Internet to fulfill the
reporting requirements of this part. This requirement may include
transmission of reports via electronic mail to the recipients
identified for each reporting requirement, or it may include
placement of reports on an Internet or Intranet site.
Sec. 209. Funds appropriated in this part and part 1 shall not
be used for the purchase of foreign goods or services, or both, if
competitively priced and of comparable quality American goods or
services, or both, are available. Preference shall be given to
goods or services, or both, manufactured or provided by Michigan
businesses, if they are competitively priced and of comparable
quality. In addition, preference shall be given to goods or
services, or both, that are manufactured or provided by Michigan
businesses owned and operated by veterans, if they are
competitively priced and of comparable quality.
Sec. 210. The department shall take all reasonable steps to
ensure businesses in deprived and depressed communities compete for
and perform contracts to provide services or supplies, or both. The
director of the department shall strongly encourage firms with
which the department contracts to subcontract with certified
businesses in depressed and deprived communities for services,
supplies, or both.
Sec. 215. The department shall not take disciplinary action
against an employee for communicating with a member of the
legislature or his or her staff.
Sec. 216. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
part, the schedule of programs in part 1 lists programs which may,
but are not required to be, funded under part 1.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this part, the
schedule of revenue sources in part 1 may or may not be received
from the funding entities listed.
(3) Any funding required by statute is not subject to funding
flexibility and shall be funded in accordance with that statute.
Sec. 218. The departments and agencies receiving
appropriations in this part and part 1 shall prepare a report on
out-of-state travel expenses not later than January 1 of each year.
The travel report shall be a listing of all travel by classified
and unclassified employees outside this state in the immediately
preceding fiscal year that was funded in whole or in part with
funds appropriated in the department's budget. The report shall be
submitted to the senate and house appropriations committees, the
house and senate fiscal agencies, and the state budget director.
The report shall include the following information:
(a) The dates of each travel occurrence.
(b) The total transportation and related costs of each travel
occurrence, including the proportion funded with state general
fund/general purpose revenues, the proportion funded with state
restricted revenues, the proportion funded with federal revenues,
and the proportion funded with other revenues.
Sec. 219. The department shall provide quarterly reports to
the subcommittees, the senate and house fiscal agencies, and the
state budget office, which shall provide the following data:
(a) A list of all major work projects, including a status
report of each project.
(b) The department's financial status, featuring a report of
budgeted versus actual expenditures by part 1 line item including a
year-end projection of budget requirements. If projected department
budget requirements exceed the allocated budget, the report shall
include a plan to reduce overall expenses while still satisfying
specified service level requirements.
(c) A report on the status of performance metrics cited in
this part and information required to be reported in this part.
(d) The number of active employees at the close of the fiscal
quarter by job classification and program.
(e) A summary of fund shifts, that have been approved by the
state budget office, that have occurred between items listed in the
schedule of programs mentioned in part 1.
(f) Evidence of efficiencies and management of funds within
established appropriations.
Sec. 222. The appropriations in part 1 are for the core
services, support services, and work projects of the department,
including, but not limited to, the following core services:
(a) Armories and joint force readiness.
(b) National Guard training facilities and air bases.
(c) Michigan youth challeNGe academy.
(d) Military family relief fund.
(e) Starbase grant.
(f) National Guard tuition assistance program.
(g) Michigan veterans affairs agency administration.
(h) Veterans service grants.
(i) Veterans' trust fund administration.
(j) Veterans' trust fund grants.
(k) Grand Rapids home for veterans.
(l) Board of managers (Grand Rapids).
(m) D.J. Jacobetti home for veterans.
(n) Board of managers (Jacobetti).
Sec. 225. Funds appropriated in this part and part 1 shall not
be used by a principal executive department, state agency, or
authority to hire a person to provide legal services that are the
responsibility of the attorney general. This prohibition does not
apply to legal services for bonding activities and for those
activities that the attorney general authorizes.
Sec. 228. Not later than November 30, the state budget office
shall prepare and transmit a report that provides for estimates of
the total general fund/general purpose appropriations lapses at the
close of the prior fiscal year. This report shall summarize the
projected year-end general fund/general purpose appropriations
lapses by major departmental program or program areas. The report
shall be transmitted to the office of the state budget, the
chairpersons of the senate and house standing committees on
appropriations, the subcommittees, and the senate and house fiscal
agencies.
Sec. 229. Within 14 days after the release of the executive
budget recommendation, the department shall cooperate with the
state budget office to provide the senate and house appropriations
chairs, the subcommittees, and the senate and house fiscal agencies
with an annual report on estimated state restricted fund balances,
state restricted fund projected revenues, and state restricted fund
expenditures for the fiscal years ending September 30, 2015 and
September 30, 2016.
Sec. 230. The department shall maintain, on a publicly
accessible website, a department scorecard that identifies, tracks,
and regularly updates key metrics that are used to monitor and
improve the agency's performance.
Sec. 231. Total authorized appropriations from all sources
under part 1 for legacy costs for the fiscal year ending September
30, 2016 are $19,866,900.00. From this amount, total agency
appropriations for pension-related legacy costs are estimated at
$11,276,300.00, and total agency appropriations for retiree health
care legacy costs are estimated at $8,590,600.00.
Sec. 232. The appropriations in part 1 for capital outlay
shall be carried forward at the end of the fiscal year consistent
with section 248 of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL
18.1248.
Sec. 233. Sixty days prior to the public announcement of the
intention to sell any department real property, the department
shall submit notification of that intent to the subcommittees and
the senate and house fiscal agencies.
Sec. 234. The one-time appropriations in part 1 for special
maintenance shall be carried forward at the end of the fiscal year
consistent with section 248 of the management and budget act, 1984
PA 431, MCL 18.1248.
Sec. 240. In addition to the metrics required under section
447 of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1447, for
each new program or program enhancement for which funds in excess
of $500,000.00 are appropriated in part 1, the department shall
provide not later than November 1, 2015 a list of program-specific
metrics intended to measure its performance based on a return on
taxpayer investment. The department shall deliver the program-
specific metrics to members of the senate and house subcommittees
that have subject matter jurisdiction for this budget, fiscal
agencies, and the state budget director. The department shall
provide an update on its progress in tracking program-specific
metrics and the status of program success at an appropriations
subcommittee meeting called for by the subcommittee chair.
MILITARY
UNCLASSIFIED POSITIONS
Sec. 300. (1) From the funds appropriated in part 1, there is
funding to support unclassified employee positions as authorized by
section 5 of article XI of the state constitution of 1963. These
positions include the following: department director - the adjutant
general for Michigan; assistant adjutant general - army; assistant
adjutant general - installations; assistant adjutant general - air;
senior policy executive - Michigan veterans affairs agency; senior
deputy director – state operations; director - strategy and policy;
director - public safety group; and director - Michigan veterans
affairs agency.
(2) Not less than 30 days prior to the department submitting a
request for an additional unclassified employee position from the
civil service commission, or for any substantive change to the
duties of an existing unclassified employee position, the
department shall notify the subcommittees and the senate and house
fiscal agencies.
ARMORIES AND JOINT FORCE READINESS
Sec. 302. (1) From the funds appropriated in part 1 for
military operations, effective and efficient executive direction
and administrative leadership shall be provided to the department.
(2) The department shall operate and maintain National Guard
armories.
(3) The department shall evaluate armories and submit a
quarterly report on the status of the armories.
(4) The department shall maintain a system to measure the
condition and adequacy of the armories.
(5) The Michigan Army National Guard and Air National Guard
shall work to provide a culture that is free of sexual assault,
through an environment of prevention, education and training,
response capability, victim support, reporting procedures, and
appropriate accountability that enhances the safety and well-being
of all guard members.
(6) By December 1, the department shall report the following
information to the subcommittees, the senate and house fiscal
agencies, and the state budget office:
(a) An assessment of the grounds and facilities of each armory
to objectively measure and determine the current facility condition
and capability to support authorized manpower, unit training, and
operations.
(b) Recommendations for the placement of new armories, the
relocation or consolidation of existing armories, or a change in
the mission of units assigned to armories to ideally position the
National Guard in current or projected population centers.
(c) Recommendations for the enhanced use of armories to
facilitate family support programs during deployments.
(d) An analysis of the feasibility, potential costs, and
benefits of use of armories shared with other local, state, or
federal agencies to improve responses to local emergencies as well
as the community support provided to armories.
(e) An investment strategy and proposed funding amounts in a
prioritized project list to correct the most critical facility
shortfalls across the inventory of armories in this state.
NATIONAL GUARD TRAINING FACILITIES AND AIR BASES
Sec. 304. (1) The department shall provide Army and Air
National Guard forces, when directed, for state and local
emergencies and in support of national military requirements.
(2) The department shall operate and maintain Army National
Guard training facilities, including Fort Custer and Camp Grayling.
(3) The department shall maintain a system that measures the
condition and adequacy of air facilities using both quality and
functionality criteria.
(4) The department shall operate and maintain Air National
Guard air bases, including Selfridge Air National Guard base,
Battle Creek Air National Guard base, and Alpena combat readiness
training center.
(5) The department shall provide the following information as
provided under section 219:
(a) The apportioned and assigned strength of the Michigan Army
National Guard.
(b) The apportioned and assigned strength of the Michigan Air
National Guard.
(c) Recruiting, retention, and attrition data, including
measurement against stated performance goals, for the Michigan Army
National Guard.
(d) Recruiting, retention, and attrition data, including
measurement against stated performance goals, for the Michigan Air
National Guard.
Sec. 305. There is hereby created and established under the
jurisdiction and control of the department a revolving account to
be known as the billeting fund account. All of the fees and other
revenues generated from the operation of the chargeable transient
quarters program shall be deposited in the billeting fund account.
Appropriations will be made from the account for the support of
program operations and the maintenance and operations of the
chargeable transient quarters program and will not exceed the
estimated revenues for the fiscal year in which they are made,
together with unexpended balances from prior years. The department
shall submit an annual report of operations and expenditures
regarding the billeting fund account to the appropriations
committees of the senate and house of representatives, the house
and senate fiscal agencies, and the state budget office at the end
of the fiscal year.
MICHIGAN YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY
Sec. 307. (1) The department shall maintain the Michigan youth
challeNGe academy to provide values, skills, education, and self-
discipline instruction for at-risk youth as provided under 32 USC
509.
(2) The department shall take steps to recruit candidates to
the challeNGe program from economically disadvantaged areas,
including those with low-income and high-unemployment backgrounds.
(3) The department shall partner with the department of health
and human services to identify youth who may be eligible for the
challeNGe program from those youth served by department of health
and human services programs. These eligible youth shall be given
priority for enrollment in the program.
(4) The department shall maintain the staffing and resources
necessary to train at least 144 cadets simultaneously at the
Michigan youth challeNGe academy.
(5) The department shall ensure that the average grade level
increase for Michigan youth challeNGe academy graduates is 2 years
as measured with the test adult basic education (TABE) metrics.
MILITARY FAMILY RELIEF FUND
Sec. 308. (1) The department shall provide grants for
disbursement from the military family relief fund, as provided
under the military family relief fund act, 2004 PA 363, MCL 35.1211
to 35.1216, and R 200.5 to R 200.95 of the Michigan administrative
code.
(2) The department shall provide information on the revenues,
expenditures for advertising and assistance grants, and fund
balance of the Michigan military family relief fund, as provided
under section 219.
(3) The department shall provide sufficient staffing and other
resources to provide outreach to the Michigan families of members
of the reserve component of the armed forces called into active
duty and to support the processing and approval of at least 60
grant applications this fiscal year under the Michigan military
relief fund and report those applications as provided in section
219.
STARBASE GRANT
Sec. 309. The department shall maintain the starbase program
at Air National Guard facilities, as provided under 10 USC 2193b,
to improve the knowledge, skills, and interest of students,
primarily in the fourth and fifth grades, in math, science, and
technology. The starbase program is to specifically target minority
and at-risk students for participation.
NATIONAL GUARD TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Sec. 310. (1) The department shall establish and maintain a
National Guard tuition assistance program for members of the
Michigan Air and Army National Guard.
(2) The objective of the National Guard tuition program is to
bolster military readiness by increasing recruitment and retention
of Michigan Air and Army National Guard service members (and to
fill federally authorized strength levels for the state), improve
the Michigan Air and Army National Guard's competitive draw from
other military enlistment options in the state, enhance the ability
of the Michigan Air and Army National Guard to compete for members
and federal dollars with surrounding states, and increase the pool
of eligible candidates within the Michigan Air and Army National
Guard to become commissioned officers.
(3) The department shall make efforts to increase the number
of Michigan Air and Army National Guard members participating in
the program to 1,000 during the third year of the program's
existence. To evaluate the effectiveness of the program, the
department shall monitor the number of new recruits and new
reenlistments and the percentage of those who become participants
in the program to determine whether the percentage of authorized
Michigan Air and Army National Guard strength obtained and retained
is competitive in comparison with the neighboring air and army
national guards from the states of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and
Wisconsin.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES AND PROJECTS
Sec. 311. The funds appropriated in part 1 for information
technology services and projects shall be used as a pass through
via an IDG to the department of technology, management, and budget
for technology services, including maintenance and repair services,
and technology projects, to maximize the operational efficiency and
effectiveness of the department.
MICHIGAN VETERANS AFFAIRS AGENCY
MICHIGAN VETERANS AFFAIRS AGENCY ADMINISTRATION
Sec. 400. (1) The MVAA agency shall provide outreach services
to Michigan veterans that advise them on the benefits to which they
are entitled, as provided under Executive Reorganization Order No.
2013-2, MCL 32.92. The MVAA shall also do the following:
(a) Maintain the staffing partnerships and other resources
necessary to develop and operate an outreach program that will
communicate benefit eligibility information to at least 50% of
Michigan's population of veterans, as assessed by annual census
estimates, with a goal of reaching 100% and enabling 100% to access
benefit information online.
(b) Communicate veteran benefit information pertaining to the
Michigan military family relief fund, Michigan veterans' trust
fund, and USDVA health, financial, and memorial benefits to which
they are entitled.
(c) Provide sufficient staffing and other resources to approve
requests for military discharge certificates (DD-214) annually.
(d) Continue the process to digitize all medical records,
military discharge documents, and burial records that are currently
on paper and microfilm.
(e) Provide a report, as provided under section 219, on the
MVAA's performance on the performance measures, outcomes, and
initiatives developed by the agency in the strategic plan required
by section 501 of 2013 PA 9.
(f) Provide a report to the subcommittees, senate and house
fiscal agencies, and the state budget office no later than April 1
providing for the following:
(i) To the extent known, data on the estimated number of
homeless veterans, by county, in this state.
(ii) A summary of the activities and strategies developed to
date under the MVAA community assessment and regional service
delivery model pilot.
(2) From the funds appropriated in part 1, the MVAA shall
provide for the regional coordination of services, as follows:
(a) Regional coordinators shall be selected by the MVAA
through a grant agreement with VSOs or by other means.
(b) Regional coordinators shall provide the following
services:
(i) Coordinate veteran benefit counselors' efforts throughout
a specified region.
(ii) Coordinate services with the department of health and
human services and the department of corrections.
(iii) Coordinate with regional workforce and economic
development agencies.
(iv) Coordinate activities among local foundations, nonprofit
organizations, and community groups to improve accessibility,
enrollment, and utilization of the array of health care, education,
employment assistance, and quality of life services provided at the
local level.
(c) The MVAA may work with MVAA service officers, regional
coordinators, county veteran counselors, VSO service officers, and
other service providers to incorporate the provision of information
relating to mental health care resources into their daily
operations to aid veterans in understanding the mental health care
support services they may be eligible to receive.
(d) The MVAA shall coordinate with the department of health
and human services to identify Medicaid recipients who are veterans
and who may be eligible for federal veterans health care benefits
or other benefits, to the extent that the identification does not
violate applicable confidentiality requirements.
(e) The MVAA shall collaborate with the department of
corrections to create and maintain a process by which prisoners can
obtain a copy of their DD-214 form or other military discharge
documentation if necessary.
(f) The MVAA shall ensure that all MVAA service officers, VSO
service officers, and regional coordinators receive appropriate
training in processing applications for benefits payable to
veterans due to military sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress
disorder, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or other mental
health issues.
(3) The MVAA shall provide claims processing services to
Michigan veterans in support of benefit claims submitted to the
USDVA for the health, financial, and memorial benefits for which
they are eligible, and shall do all of the following:
(a) Report the following information as provided in section
219:
(i) The number of benefit claims, by type, submitted to the
USDVA by MVAA and coalition partner veteran service officers.
(ii) The number of fully developed claims, submitted to the
USDVA, with an overall goal of 40% of benefit claims submitted that
are considered fully developed by the USDVA.
(b) Maintain the staffing and resources necessary to process a
minimum of 500 claims per year.
(4) The MVAA shall maintain staffing and resources necessary
to develop and implement a process to ensure that all county
counselors receive the training and accreditation necessary to
provide quality services to our veterans. The MVAA shall report
information as provided in section 219 on the number and percentage
of county veterans counselors requesting training by the MVAA, with
an overall goal of 100% of county veterans counselors trained.
(5) From the funds appropriated in part 1 for MVAA operations,
the MVAA shall provide grant assistance to enhance the capacity and
capabilities of counties in providing benefit claims assistance.
These funds shall be used to continue the implementation of an
Internet-based data system, to increase the number of county
veterans counselors, and to increase the number of counties that
provide service to veterans through county veterans counselors. The
MVAA shall provide a report, as provided in section 219, on the
expenditures and activities of the grant funds directed by this
subsection.
(6) From the funds appropriated in part 1 for MVAA, the MVAA
is authorized to expend up to $50,000.00 to hire legal services to
represent veterans benefit cases before federal court to maintain
accreditation under 38 CFR 14.628(d)(1)(iv).
VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION GRANTS
Sec. 406. (1) The MVAA shall disburse VSO grants to assist
them to achieve agency goals and performance objectives in
partnership with the VSOs. Grants to VSOs will be disbursed to fund
programs and projects which are determined by the agency to meet
agency performance objectives and ensure that VSOs communicate the
availability of emergency grants through the Michigan veterans'
trust fund. In disbursing veterans service organization grants, the
MVAA shall do the following:
(a) Ensure that each VSO that receives grants is issued
performance standards.
(b) Ensure that each VSO that receives grant funds uses those
funds for veterans advocacy and outreach.
(c) Monitor the performance of each VSO that receives grants.
(2) Veterans service organization grants awarded by the MVAA
shall provide for the following, as developed by the MVAA:
(a) The provision of service to veterans statewide, using a
regional service delivery model, with services provided at
specified locations and times, including service provided in state
correctional facilities.
(b) The payment of a fixed hourly service rate.
(c) A specified number of service hours within each geographic
region of this state, with a statewide goal of at least 116,500
hours, including service hours provided to eligible incarcerated
veterans within 1 year of their earliest release date.
(d) Use of an MVAA-designated Internet-based claims data
system.
(3) The MVAA shall report the following information as
provided in section 219:
(a) A summary of activities supported through the
appropriation in part 1 for veterans service organization grants,
including separately for each service region, the amount of
expenditures to date, number of service hours, number of claims for
benefits submitted by type of claim, and other information deemed
appropriate by the MVAA.
(b) The number of fully developed claims, by type, submitted
to the USDVA by veterans service organizations, with an overall
goal of 40% of benefit claims submitted that are considered fully
developed by the USDVA.
VETERANS' TRUST FUND ADMINISTRATION
Sec. 407. (1) The Michigan veterans' trust fund board together
with the MVAA shall provide emergency grants for disbursement from
the Michigan veterans' trust fund, as provided under the following
program authorities:
(a) Sections 37, 38, and 39 of article IX of the state
constitution of 1963.
(b) 1946 (1st Ex Sess) PA 9, MCL 35.602 to 35.610.
(c) R 35.1 to R 35.7 of the Michigan administrative code.
(d) R 35.621 to R 35.623 of the Michigan administrative code.
(2) No later than December 1, the MVAA shall provide a
detailed report of the Michigan veterans' trust fund that includes,
for the prior fiscal year, information on grants provided from the
emergency grant program, including details concerning the
methodology of allocations, the selection of emergency grant
program authorized agents, a description of how the emergency grant
program is administered in each county, and a detailed breakdown of
trust fund expenditures for that year, including the amount
distributed to each county for administrative costs and emergency
grants. The report shall also include the number of approved
applications, by category of assistance, and the number of denied
applications, by reason of denial. The report shall also provide an
update on the department's efforts to reduce program administrative
costs and maintain the Michigan veterans' trust fund corpus to its
original amount of at least $50,000,000.00.
(3) It is the intent of the legislature that from the funds
appropriated in part 1 to the Michigan veterans agency
administration, Michigan veterans' trust fund administration, up to
$550,000.00 shall be expended on administration costs; up to
$400,000.00 shall be expended on establishing a system to apply for
grants through an Internet website, including posting all relevant
information and documentation needed for submitting a formal
application electronically; and up to $450,000.00 shall be expended
on implementation of a regional office model. Any funds not
expended or encumbered at the end of the current fiscal year shall
be deposited into the Michigan veterans' trust fund corpus.
VETERANS' TRUST FUND GRANTS
Sec. 408. (1) The MVAA shall provide a report, as provided
under section 219, on the financial status of the Michigan
veterans' trust fund, including the number and amount of emergency
grants, state administrative expenses, and county administrative
expenses.
(2) The Michigan veterans' trust fund board together with the
agency shall maintain the staffing and resources necessary to
process a minimum of 2,000 applications for veterans' trust fund
emergency grants.
GRAND RAPIDS HOME FOR VETERANS
Sec. 501. (1) The MVAA and the board of managers shall provide
compassionate and quality nursing and domiciliary care services at
the Grand Rapids home for veterans so that members can achieve
their highest potential of wellness, independence, self-worth, and
dignity.
(2) The department shall provide resources necessary to
provide nursing care services to veterans in accordance with
federal standards, including the following:
(a) A licensed minimum number of 403 residents in skilled
nursing beds at the Grand Rapids home for veterans.
(b) A licensed minimum number of 72 residents in domiciliary
beds at the Grand Rapids home for veterans.
(3) Appropriations in part 1 for the Grand Rapids home for
veterans shall not be used for any purpose other than for veterans
and veterans' families.
(4) Any contractor providing competency evaluated nursing
assistants (CENA) to the Grand Rapids home for veterans shall
ensure that each CENA has at least 8 hours of training on
information provided by the home.
(5) Any contractor providing competency evaluated nursing
assistants to the Grand Rapids home for veterans shall ensure that
each CENA has at least 1 eight-hour shift of shadowing at the
veterans' home.
(6) Any contractor providing competency evaluated nursing
assistants to the Grand Rapids home for veterans shall ensure that
each CENA is competent in the basic skills needed to perform his or
her assigned duties at the home.
(7) Any contractor providing competency evaluated nursing
assistants to the Grand Rapids home for veterans shall ensure that
each CENA has at least 1 year of experience in long-term care.
(8) The Grand Rapids home for veterans shall provide each CENA
at least 12 hours of in-service training once that individual has
been assigned to the home.
(9) All complaints of abusive or neglectful care at the Grand
Rapids home for veterans by a resident member, a resident member's
family or legal guardian, or staff of the veterans' home, received
by a supervisor shall be referred to the director of nursing upon
receipt of such complaint. The director of nursing shall report on
not less than a monthly basis, except that the board of managers
may specify a more frequent reporting period, to the home
administrator, board of managers, agency, subcommittees, the senate
and house fiscal agencies, and the state budget office the
following information:
(a) A description of the process by which resident members and
others may file complaints of alleged abuse or neglect at the Grand
Rapids home for veterans.
(b) Summary statistics on the number and general nature of
complaints of abuse or neglect.
(c) Summary statistics on the final disposition of complaints
of abuse or neglect received.
(10) The Grand Rapids home for veterans shall provide an on-
site, board-certified psychiatrist for all resident members with
mental health disorders in order to ensure that those resident
members receive needed services in a professional and timely
manner. The Grand Rapids home for veterans shall provide all
members and staff a safe and secure environment.
(11) The Grand Rapids home for veterans shall ensure that it
effectively develops, executes, and monitors all comprehensive care
plans in accordance with federal regulations and its internal
policies, with a goal that a comprehensive care plan is fully
developed for all resident members.
(12) The Grand Rapids home for veterans shall implement
controls over its food, maintenance supplies, and medical supplies
inventories.
(13) The Grand Rapids home for veterans shall implement
controls over its pharmaceutical inventory.
(14) The Grand Rapids home for veterans shall establish
sufficient controls for calculating resident member maintenance
assessments in order to accurately calculate resident member
maintenance assessments for each billing cycle. The Grand Rapids
home for veterans shall establish sufficient controls to ensure
that all past due resident member maintenance assessments are
addressed within 30 days.
(15) The Grand Rapids home for veterans shall establish
sufficient controls over monetary donations and donated goods.
(16) The Grand Rapids home for veterans shall implement
sufficient controls over the handling of resident member funds to
ensure the release of funds within 3 business days upon the
resident member leaving the home and to ensure that a
representative of a resident member is provided a full accounting
of that resident member's funds within 10 business days of the
death of that resident member.
(17) The MVAA shall post on its website all policies adopted
by the board of managers and the home related to the administrative
operations of the home.
(18) The process by which visitors, residents, and employees
of the Grand Rapids home for veterans may register complaints shall
be displayed in high-traffic areas throughout the home.
(19) The MVAA shall report its findings regarding the Grand
Rapids home for veterans' compliance with the requirements and
standards under this section as provided in section 219. The
quarterly reports shall include, but are not limited to, the
following information:
(a) The number of patient care hours and staffing levels
measured against USDVA-VHA standards.
(b) The number and dollar value of lost and discarded
prescriptions and the number of early prescription refills.
(c) An accounting of resident member populations at the Grand
Rapids home for veterans by period of service, by gender, by care
setting, and by bed space available.
(d) The financial status of the Grand Rapids home for
veterans, including an accounting of post and posthumous funds,
donations, and state-appropriated funds.
(e) Information regarding assessments, reassessments, and
admissions at the Grand Rapids home for veterans.
(f) The number of volunteer hours at the Grand Rapids home for
veterans.
(20) The Grand Rapids home for veterans shall provide to the
subcommittees, the senate and house fiscal agencies, and the state
budget office the results of any annual or for-cause survey
conducted by the USDVA-VHA and any corresponding corrective action
plan. This information shall also be made available publicly
through the department's or MVAA's website.
BOARD OF MANAGERS (GRAND RAPIDS)
Sec. 502. The board of managers shall exercise certain
regulatory and governance authority regarding admission and member
affairs at the Grand Rapids home for veterans. The board of
managers shall also work to represent the interest of the veterans'
community in both advisory and advocacy roles.
D.J. JACOBETTI HOME FOR VETERANS
Sec. 503. (1) The MVAA and the board of managers shall provide
compassionate and quality nursing and domiciliary care services at
the D.J. Jacobetti home for veterans so that members can achieve
their highest potential of wellness, independence, self-worth, and
dignity.
(2) The department shall provide resources necessary to
provide adequate nursing care services to veterans in accordance
with federal standards, including the following:
(a) A licensed minimum number of 158 residents in skilled
nursing beds at the D.J. Jacobetti home for veterans.
(b) A licensed minimum number of 11 residents in domiciliary
beds at the D.J. Jacobetti home for veterans.
(3) Appropriations in part 1 for the D.J. Jacobetti home for
veterans shall not be used for any purpose other than for veterans
and veterans' families.
(4) Any contractor providing competency evaluated nursing
assistants (CENA) to the D.J. Jacobetti home for veterans shall
ensure that each CENA has at least 8 hours of training on
information provided by the home.
(5) Any contractor providing competency evaluated nursing
assistants to the D.J. Jacobetti home for veterans shall ensure
that each CENA has at least 1 eight-hour shift of shadowing at the
home.
(6) Any contractor providing competency evaluated nursing
assistants to the D.J. Jacobetti home for veterans shall ensure
that each CENA is competent in the basic skills needed to perform
his or her assigned duties at the home.
(7) Any contractor providing competency evaluated nursing
assistants to the D.J. Jacobetti home for veterans shall ensure
that each CENA has at least 1 year of experience in long-term care.
(8) The D.J. Jacobetti home for veterans shall provide each
CENA at least 12 hours of in-service training once that individual
has been assigned to the home.
(9) All complaints of abusive or neglectful care at the D.J.
Jacobetti home for veterans by a resident member, a resident
member's family or legal guardian, or staff of the home, received
by a supervisor shall be referred to the director of nursing upon
receipt of such complaint. The director of nursing shall report on
not less than a monthly basis, except that the board of managers
may specify a more frequent reporting period, to the home
administrator, board of managers, agency, subcommittees, the senate
and house fiscal agencies, and the state budget office the
following information:
(a) A description of the process by which resident members and
others may file complaints of alleged abuse or neglect at the D.J.
Jacobetti home for veterans.
(b) Summary statistics on the number and the general nature of
complaints of abuse or neglect.
(c) Summary statistics on the final disposition of complaints
of abuse or neglect received.
(10) The MVAA shall post on its website all policies adopted
by the board of managers and the home related to the operations of
the home.
(11) The process by which visitors, residents, and employees
of the D.J. Jacobetti home for veterans may register complaints
shall be displayed in high-traffic areas throughout the home.
(12) The MVAA shall report the following, as provided under
section 219:
(a) An accounting of resident member populations at the D.J.
Jacobetti home for veterans by period of service, by gender, by
care setting, and by bed space available.
(b) The financial status of the D.J. Jacobetti home for
veterans, including an accounting of post and posthumous funds,
donations, and state-appropriated funds.
(c) Information regarding assessments, reassessments, and
admissions at the D.J. Jacobetti home for veterans.
(d) The number of volunteer hours at the D.J. Jacobetti home
for veterans.
(13) The D.J. Jacobetti home for veterans shall provide to the
subcommittees and the senate and house fiscal agencies the results
of any annual or for-cause survey conducted by the USDVA-VHA and
any corresponding corrective action plan. This information shall
also be made available publicly through the department's or MVAA's
website.
BOARD OF MANAGERS (JACOBETTI)
Sec. 504. The board of managers shall exercise certain
regulatory and governance authority regarding admission and member
affairs at the D.J. Jacobetti home for veterans. The board of
managers shall also work to represent the interest of the veterans'
community in both advisory and advocacy roles.
CAPITAL OUTLAY
SPECIAL MAINTENANCE – NATIONAL GUARD
Sec. 601. (1) The appropriations in part 1 for special
maintenance – National Guard shall be carried forward at the end of
the fiscal year consistent with section 248 of the management and
budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1248.
(2) The appropriations for special maintenance – National
Guard shall be expended in accordance with the requirements of
sections 302 and 304 and shall be expended according to the
maintenance priorities of the department to repair and modernize
military training sites and support facilities, including armories,
which may include projects such as roof, HVAC, or boiler
replacement, interior renovations, facility expansion, improvements
to parking facilities, and other projects.
(3) The department shall provide a quarterly report as
provided under section 219 providing information on the status,
projected costs, and projected completion date of current and
planned special maintenance projects at the armories and other
National Guard facilities funded from capital outlay appropriations
made in part 1 and in prior appropriations years.
SPECIAL MAINTENANCE – VETERANS' HOMES
Sec. 603. (1) The appropriations in part 1 for special
maintenance – veterans' homes shall be carried forward at the end
of the fiscal year consistent with section 248 of the management
and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1248.
(2) The appropriations for special maintenance – veterans'
homes shall be expended in accordance with the requirements of
sections 501 and 503 and shall be expended according to the
maintenance priorities of the department to repair and modernize
the state's veterans' homes, which may include projects such as
roof, HVAC, or boiler replacement, interior renovations, facility
expansion, improvements to parking facilities, and other projects
designed to enhance the quality of life and medical care of
members.
(3) The MVAA shall provide a quarterly report as provided
under section 219 providing information on the status, projected
costs, and projected completion date of current and planned special
maintenance projects at the Grand Rapids home for veterans and D.J.
Jacobetti home for veterans funded from capital outlay
appropriations made in part 1 and in prior appropriations years.
LAND AND ACQUISITIONS
Sec. 604. (1) The department shall provide for the acquisition
and disposition of National Guard armories, facilities, and lands
as provided under sections 368, 382, and 382a of the Michigan
military act, 1967 PA 150, MCL 32.768, 32.782, and 32.782a.
(2) The department shall provide a listing of property sales
and acquisitions as provided under section 219.
ONE-TIME APPROPRIATIONS
SPECIAL MAINTENANCE – NATIONAL GUARD
Sec. 701. (1) The one-time appropriations in part 1 for
special maintenance – National Guard shall be carried forward at
the end of the fiscal year consistent with section 248 of the
management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1248.
(2) The one-time appropriations for special maintenance –
National Guard shall be expended in accordance with the
requirements of sections 302 and 304 and shall be expended
according to the maintenance priorities of the department to repair
and modernize military training sites and support facilities,
including armories, which may include projects such as roof, HVAC,
or boiler replacement, interior renovations, facility expansion,
improvements to parking facilities, and other projects.
(3) The department shall provide a quarterly report as
provided under section 219 providing information on the status,
projected costs, and projected completion date of current and
planned special maintenance projects at the armories and other
National Guard facilities funded from one-time appropriations made
in part 1.
PART 2A
PROVISIONS CONCERNING ANTICIPATED APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016-2017
GENERAL SECTIONS
Sec. 1201. It is the intent of the legislature to provide
appropriations for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2017 for
the line items listed in part 1. The fiscal year 2016-2017
appropriations are anticipated to be the same as those for fiscal
year 2015-2016, excluding appropriations designated as one-time
appropriations and adjusting for changes in caseload and related
costs, federal fund match rates, economic factors, and available
revenue. These adjustments will be determined after the January
2016 consensus revenue estimating conference.
Sec. 1202. The veterans affairs agency shall provide the
percentage of Michigan veterans contacted, with a goal of 100%, and
report upon those outreach findings to the subcommittees at
quarterly legislative hearings.
Sec. 1203. The veterans affairs agency shall maintain a
minimum 50% fully developed claims as determined by the USDVA.
PART 2B
PROVISIONS CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015
GENERAL SECTIONS
Sec. 2201. Pursuant to section 30 of article IX of the state
constitution of 1963, total state spending from state resources
under part 1B for fiscal year 2014-2015 is $0.00 and state spending
from state resources to be paid to local units of government for
fiscal year 2014-2015 is $0.00.
Sec. 2202. The appropriations authorized under this part and
part 1B are subject to the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431,
MCL 18.1101 to 18.1594.
Sec. 2203. The unexpended funds appropriated in part 1 for the
Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy/Job ChalleNGe Program are
considered work project appropriations, and any unencumbered or
unallotted funds are carried forward into the succeeding fiscal
year. The following is in compliance with section 451a(1) of the
management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1451a:
(a) The purpose of the project to be carried forward is to
implement the Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy/Job ChalleNGe
Program and prepare participants to obtain employment in the
manufacturing and industrial trades.
(b) The project will be accomplished by the department.
(c) The total estimated project completion cost is
$4,995,700.00.
(d) The estimated completion date is September 30, 2018.