2021-07-06 00:00:00 - Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
2021-07-06 00:00:00 - Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
here, Senator Villas. Um we're calling the meeting committee hearing of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs to order. We appreciate that those who are testifying have joined us virtually. Um We would like to begin this hearing. Bye. The everyone president joining in on the pledge of allegiance and those at home are doing the same so that those president would rise
the states of America and to the republic Which which it stands one name under God indivisible48 with liberty and justice for all. Amen this. Mhm.
The that's one thing we know we can count on even uh with our virtual meeting. So again, my name is Paul Mcmurtry, House Chair of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. I'm honored to be joined by my center Senator Chair Senator Villas, also a major in the army reserves. We have bills that we're hearing today um primarily related to uh license portability, education and enrollment of dependence for those who serve in the armed forces and their spouses. In addition to95 that, we're also going to be hearing testimony on an act relative to providing veterans and survivor benefits. Um, despite us not meeting in person, I know there's some of my colleagues are on joining us virtually who I understand have other commitments as well. So if I can see115 who that chair are, we joined by uh, cheer garlic, Representative garlic.
Okay. And I also want to acknowledge the co chair of the House Committee on Veterans of Federal Affairs. Representative Kapono has joined us virtually. Thank you Representative for being here. Um,
we'll come back to the sound. Okay,
cheap. All right. So the first bill that we're going to hear testimony on is a Senate Bill 2433 and act relative to military spouse licensure of portability, education and enrollment of dependence. Um, speaking in support of that legislation is the sponsor himself. Now, my pleasure to turn over the microphone to Senator Villas.
SEN VELIS - SB 2433 - Mr. Chairman thank you so very much. And first and foremost, it's a great honor to be here to be a co chair of this committee with you. Obviously, this is the most180 important, critical topic that that we can take up. Obviously those who have volunteered to step forward and to186 serve their nation and everything we can do to to whether190 it's services, whether it's, whether it's any really anything we can do in the form of legislation in the form of budget we really should be doing. So. It's an honor to be here. Um, and I'll get right to it on the on the bill. Mr. Chairman This bill is Senate bill 2433 an act relative to military spouse licensure, portability, education level211 and enrollment of dependents. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
folks, I'm sorry if you could those who have joined us virtually if you'd be kind enough to
mute. Are you are microphones?
Yeah, someone just me or did you, Ben?
And it avail us? No, of course. You tell them to be. I'm
take somewhat do today a music production. Yes. And that is it. And you just understand what
someone. Yes. Yeah. I just said you didn't look just Mr big box store. Okay. And also another technological update. Please do not mute Ben Clucas who's on the call as well. He's uh, technology from Elias283 who's facilitating this uh, for us. So if you're mute, Ben, please don't do that. Or a mute them, but we'll be able to so we can try to have this one as smoothly as possible. Um, virtually and person here. So once again I turn the microphone over to senator veils.
VELIS - Thank you. Mr Chairman Mr Chairman I guess I would say at the outset of this bill is that in Massachusetts, we have a long and storied history of being the best state in the nation in terms of veterans advocacy. What I would say this bill at the most fundamental level is to equal that commitment to veterans and to equal it with a commitment to veterans' families, specifically veterans spouses and veterans children service members, Kids and spouses. So thank you Mr. Chairman. And all the committee members for allowing me to testify in support of this legislation an act relative to military spouse, licensure, portability, education, enrollment of dependents, otherwise known as the Speed Act. Our commonwealth has always shown a deep commitment to taking care of the service members who have served our nation at the highest of levels.
We have passed landmark legislation to support our military members and provide them with the resources that they need with much of that thanks to the hard work of my colleagues on this very committee. I'm proud to reside in a state that continues to be a leader in our country for veteran services but strongly believe there is more, we can do. One area where we can and must improve on is to support we provide to the families of military members in our commonwealth. Moving around frequently is a fact of387 life for service members in the military. It always has been depending on the assignment. Military members change stations every 24-36 months on average. This Uprooting not only affects the service member, it affects their entire family as well.401 Spouses who are licensed in certain professions in other states have to reapply for licensing in Massachusetts before they can find new jobs.
This can lead to periods of time where families are missing out on crucial, crucial second source of income. This uncertainty can lead some service members to make the very difficult decision to leave the military altogether. By putting service members and424 their spouses in this challenging situation we're also greatly hurting our force retention rate and jeopardizing our military's ability to be troop ready. Similarly, the Children of service members are impacted by these transitions as well. Children who are uprooted in the middle of the school year often miss important registration and application periods in their new444 school district. As a result,445 they miss school and are forced to take summer classes or even graduate later than their peers. College age Children are affected as well, especially financially. Many students depend on455 in state tuition rates at their colleges and universities.
When their military parent moves, their costs can skyrocket. These are critical issues that are commonwealth must address. And that is why I worked in conjunction with the Department of Defense to file this piece of legislation. I know that many of my colleagues have filed similar legislation that will also be heard today and I'm glad that so many of my colleagues understand these problems and recognize the importance of supporting military families and their transition to Massachusetts. About this legislation. First, this legislation would eliminate the current laws substantial equivalency licensing requirements, which requires state agencies to determine whether other states' licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to those in Massachusetts. This lengthy process is unnecessary for many professions and can often deter spouses from applying for licenses in the commonwealth altogether.
This legislation would also require the Department of Professional Licensor to accept the spouses' application or notify of them what criteria516 they did not meet within 30 days of applying the timeframe recommended by the United States Department of Defense. While, this 30 day time period is already frequently met by our state agency. This legislation will codify the requirement into law. Speeding up the licensure process not only ensures that military families can maintain their income but also ensures that our state is getting more trained workers into open jobs. Second, this legislation waves the initial proof of residency requirement for school enrolment, allowing military Children to begin attending school immediately upon moving to Massachusetts. The legislation also enables military parents during reassignments to enroll their Children in the Massachusetts Virtual School Network for even559 more flexibility.
Third, for college students whose military parents moved out of the commonwealth, this legislation requires that they be deemed an in state resident and still qualify for in state tuition at573 institutions of higher education so long as they remain continuously enrolled. Lastly, this legislation creates a Purple Star school program to designate Massachusetts schools that have demonstrated a major commitment to military students and families by meeting specific state designated requirements. The Purple Star Program not only encourages schools and districts to increase their support for military families, it also helps the families identify the schools that are best prepared to meet their needs. The fact of the matter is these changes are the right thing to do. We should be doing everything in our power to ease transitions for these families, who are already sacrificing so much for us.
These changes will614 ensure that we are welcoming military members, service members and their families to Massachusetts properly and providing them with the resources622 they need. These changes are also an important signal to the federal officials in the Department of Defense that Massachusetts continues to be a leader in military services and supports military families. Such a signal will bring enormous benefits to our commonwealth's military installations and great economic benefits to our commonwealth as a whole. When the Department of Defense and military officials are making basing decisions or mission assignments Where a state stands on these issues of licensure Portability in education transitions is a major factor in whether or not the state is selected. Part of any evaluation on Massachusetts Military installations, like the ongoing Air Force evaluation at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield includes looking at how our668 commonwealth supports military families.
This is something that has been explicitly stated by the Department of Defense and Military officials. In September of 2019, The Secretary of Defense, to find a fourth line of effort to the National Defense Strategy to support the well being of military families. Military spouse licensure was designated as a key initiative in this effort with one of the specific goals to improve state licensing laws Being to allow a military spouse to receive a license with minimal paperwork within 30 days of of application. Section 2883 of the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act further emphasizes the role that licensor that licensure portability plays in the Department of Defense is strategic basing evaluation. This Section requires the department in each of the military services to produce annual basing decisions, scorecards at the state and installation level Considering military family readiness issues with one of the top criteria being interstate portability of licensure credentials.
Local support for military members and families who reside on735 and around installations is a critical factor in total force readiness. When spouses are unable to find work, it leads many service members to leave the military. These problems lead to dwindling trained, dwindling trained forces and major troop readiness concerns that affect our entire nation in our national security. The secretary of defense has called out this problem. First Lady Biden has called off this problem and we must help to address this issue Before it grows. Military officials want to ensure locations where service members and their families our place can provide the capabilities necessary to enhance military family readiness and improve member retention. It is part of their strategic base in criteria and as part of their national security strategy as a whole.
This legislation also signals to the DOD That our military installations are primed with support and that we are a viable state for future investments. Projects like the one being contemplated at Barnes will bring enormous economic development and federal investments to our commonwealth.796 This legislation will only improve our state's chances of being selected for such projects. Most importantly, by moving this legislation forward, we are reaffirming our commonwealth's commitment to taking care of our military members and their families. Mr. Chairman, I think as everybody can attest who has served in this nation, it's a family endeavor.
When someone818 serves in a in one of the armed services, it's just not about that service member, it's about their family member as well. So when we take care of our veterans and again, kind of where I began, we've always been the best that advocating for our veterans, where we need to get a little bit better, is advocating for our veterans families and their Children. Thank you for your consideration I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have. Thank you. Mr. Chairman members SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
thank you Senator for your testimony and bringing a very timely and important subject. Oh, to this body I will just check in with our staff any questions on this. No questions. And we are physically joined by the co chair of the Committee on869 Veterans and Federal Affairs. Representative Capano. So welcome sir. Um once again, thank you Senator Villas, we're going to go to um call upon now. Senator Tim Multi um will testify on a similar bill under a different title of different name number rather Senate 24 29. So um Senator Templeton place,
SEN TIMILTY - SB 2429 - Thank you Chair McMurtry Chair Velis, Members of the committee and of course all our Distinguished veterans in the audience and that includes my former co chair of this committee Representative Linda Dean-Campbell, very nice to see you all And to all our veterans. Thank you very much for everything you've done for all of us. I am here obviously uh and thank you916 again to testify in favor of the bill that I have filed Senate Bill 2429, which is an act relative to military spouse licensure, portability, education and enrollment of dependents. It is obviously important to note that I've collaborated with our Attorney General General Keith and his staff in the creation of this vital legislation. And it's something that in the last session, obviously co chair Campbell and myself and all the members of the committee deemed to be extremely important and believed in this.
And that was within the context of our Air National Guard seeking of the F-35 squadrons to be based here in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which which is still an ongoing, and an incredibly956 important endeavor. You know, we learned firsthand about the importance of and need for license reciprocity in the context. As I mentioned just a moment ago in the Air Force's assessment of the F- 35's basing decision. Former Chair Campbell and I, who I975 mentioned a moment ago and I were both ardent supporters and still are along with many members of this committee of whatever our outstanding air guarded needed to secure the basic of the F-35 in the commonwealth. And of course that is the prism and the lens in which we would look at this issue in the short term. Moreover, after discussions with our Mass National Guard Military Asset Task Force and others, it became clear that there were a number of factors and areas that we as a commonwealth could improve upon in support of our dedicated members of our magnificent armed forces and their families.
S 2924 expedites professional licensing and certification for members of our armed forces and their families quite simply. Additionally, this bill creates the designation of public schools as Purple Star campuses. This recognition of a school's commitment to helping the Children of our armed forces with school transition and creating programs to recognize the value of military1034 service and civic responsibility. Furthermore, this bill ensures an easy transition for students relocated as a result of a parent's military orders by permitting remote registration in schools across the commonwealth. Finally, this bill guarantees continuity for in state tuition rates for courses in higher education for members of our armed forces and their dependents. And of course, that's extremely important.
All of the aforementioned changes are what Massachusetts must do to remain a leader in providing support for the outstanding members of our armed forces. Chair Velis mentioned this a while ago, this is something we are all very proud of when I chaired this committee along with Rep Campbell, it was something we were very proud of and I know each and every member of the commonwealth is very proud of the fact that we lead the nation in the benefits and rightfully so that we extend to the women and men of our Outstanding armed Forces. That must not change. It will not change. And with the passage of this bill and the bill that Senator Velis mentioned a moment ago and spoke so eloquently about, we will remain at the forefront of what we do for our veterans here in the commonwealth and quite importantly for our active duty personnel.
So with that I thank you all for this opportunity to testify to chair McMurtry, chair Velis and each and every member of the committee. Thank you very much. And of course I look forward to answer any questions. I also look forward to working with this committee in the securing favorable passage for our Active Duty Reserve and National Guard personnel across the,1128 not only the commonwealth but across the country. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Senator Tim multi for your testimony and thank you for your continued support of those in the commonwealth have served in our armed forces. Um I also want to take a moment to recognize members of the committee who have1153 joined us virtually members of the during comedian veterans and Federal Affairs representatives Kilcoyne, representative phillips and Representative Duffy who have joined us virtually. Thank you for being here in participating as well. Um if any of the members of the committee have questions for our colleagues, are1174 those who testify, please let us know through the perhaps chat function on the uh website. So next we're going to call upon my colleague in the House and predecessor homes that appear to thank you.
What's that? Uh It now like to call upon my colleague in the house and the my predecessor of the committee chaired this committee. Representative Campbell representive. Campbell also has similar legislation that she has filed House on 36 48.1211 Representative Campbell, please.
REP CAMPBELL - HB 3648 - Good afternoon. Mr. Chairman Senator Villas um Chair McMurtry the committee is in great hands this session. Um And so thank you for serving in that in that position. Um Senator Timilty. It's always good to see you um as we continue to work on these issues as well. So I think the legislation itself around this topic has been very well uh described and amplified on by my two predecessors preceding uh colleagues here. So I won't I won't review that again. The The only thing I will add is um that 3648 um as I believe, other legislation here um was drafted in, you know, in conjunction with our National Guard colleagues. So um I believe that it's um a little more expansive um than the legislation that senator Timilty and I looked at last session and that is by design.
Um It was last session, there was um, you know, very intense focus on the F-35s and that discussion continues very critical to our commonwealth and um it's1285 also expanded in some sense. So the legislation that we have before us this session is even a little bit more comprehensive, I think that's appropriate um for the discussions that we're now having. Um And the only thing that I would add to what has already been said is that I think um to Senator Velis' point and Senator Timilty's point, it's now even more critical that we passed this legislation. Well, first, because of the ongoing discussions at the federal level, um, but also because of the tempo um, of our military forces. As we all know, uh, you know, 1% are serving in the armed forces a little bit less than 1%. And so there's a lot more moving around. There's a lot more redeployment, there's a lot more hardship on our military families.
And so I think that Massachusetts should once again lead the way, um, to ensure that we are providing every possible support, not only for our military presence here, but also the family members. Because, you know, we observed in testimony last session that, um, you know, if if the family members are not supportive, um, it's um, our military force suffers tremendously. So I want to thank you for your consideration. I think as we1370 move forward, we're going to hear from the guard too as well um on this in greater detail. But as we move forward, um the legislation is gonna evolve quite a bit um given ongoing discussions at, you know, the federal and state level. So I look forward to working with you on this as we move forward and thank you for the opportunity to be here. Um, and uh talk to you very soon. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you very much Representative for your testimony. Uh, we before we call on the next person to testify, I do want to acknowledge a couple other representatives on the committee who joined us. Representative Donato here in person. Thank you for being part of this.1413 And Representatives zeros has also joined us virtually and to my colleagues uh from both Senator Villas and I thanks for your patience and endurance as we coordinate this virtual hearing as well as the in presence hearing with technology. So now Senator Villas has a few of uh senate colleagues would like to acknowledge as well. Thank you. Mr Chairman. I just I know several of them are kind of signing in and out. So what I'm going to do is I believe Senator Goby is on right now. But what I'm1442 going to do is I'm just going to recognize all of them. The vice chair, senator rush, Senator brady. Senator Collins. Of course. I believe Senator Goby is on right now and Senator fat man, thank you trim. Okay, thank you. Senator Well on the list now we're going to call upon some, I believe on members of the legislature of address that will be circling back with representative garlic soon on another matter. But1471 I'd like to call upon them. Mr thomas keating. Um, who from the V. F. W. Post in Needham massachusetts, who has signed up to testify on House 36 54 perhaps the other legislation as well. Mr keating please?
THOMAS KEATING - VFW - HB 3654 - Good afternoon. Hope everybody can hear me. My name is Tom Keating. I'm a Vietnam war veteran served in the U. S. Army 1968 through 1970 including one tour in Republic of Vietnam. I'm joined here by my colleague1504 Bill Byrnes. Um, we are here to discuss a House Bill 3654 The veterans annuity plan. Uh, upwards of about 15,000 Massachusetts veterans are designated 100% disabled and they are eligible for that annuity. Um, the annuity since its inception has not had a raise. We are hoping that by supporting and passing House Bill 3654 That uh, 100% veterans who are now receiving that annuity twice a year, will be able to see an increase in an excuse me in that, uh.
As a disabled veteran, excuse me, I do receive a disability payment from the Veterans Administration for my Agent Orange exposure. And1567 uh, should I pass away, my spouse will not receive any VA benefits unless she passes a means test. And that would uh, that would take some time. Uh, the increase in the veterans annuity under this bill would certainly help her in that regard with additional income. Um, so I hope that the committee can see Uh, support for this 3654 House bill as important to the 15,100% disabled veterans in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you Mr keating and thank you for your service. And uh, I just want to make a correction. I apologize I believe got the right bill number House 36 54 but the wrong title may have announced that. So just to be uh clarification, it was House 36 54. An act relative providing veteran's survivor benefits of which you just testified. I appreciate that signed by our colleague uh sponsored by our colleague, Representative garlic and senator. Uh in addition to a1642 lot of co sponsors again, thank you for your testimony and thank you for your service to our country. Um don't believe next we're1650 going to call upon, we can go down to Mr Burns also from the need and VFW post. Um Mr Burns. Um If you could a mute your microphone and we'll listen to your testimony again on House 36 54 filed by representative garlic and Senator Russia.
WILLIAM BYRNES - VFW - HB 3654 - Thank you Mr. Chairman, Good afternoon everyone. I do not have the gift of golden lips so you'll have to deal with me. Uh, I am a colleague of Tom Keating's and a Vietnam veteran. Uh, United States1677 Army Vietnam veteran 1967 through 1970. I did 17 months in Vietnam. Just uh, I represent myself here and I think I represent a lot of veterans and especially Vietnam veterans. We were never really treated too well back then and it's taken many, many years of my life to come forward. Uh and even to where a Vietnam veteran's hat. Aaving said that during my tour of duty, uh 1970 April 2nd of 19701717 I was finishing my 17 months uh in Vietnam in April 5th of 1970 I1724 found myself asleep in a bed in Needham Massachusetts.
So if you can do the math on that, that's how quickly I was deactivated and sent home. It's a period of about three days with no debriefing or anything. It was uniform at a plane ticket home. And bye see you later. So having said that 501745 years later, uh then married uh December 5th1748 of 1970. My wife that stood, stood by my side, Uh huh and put up with me, uh being a Vietnam veteran for 50 years, God bless her. So having said that, if anything happens to me, um my wife would certainly benefit from the veteran veteran's benefits after my passing, if that should happen. So, uh thank you for listening. Um and thank you very much and have a good afternoon. Thanks. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Right, Mr Burns, thank you for your testimony and uh thank you for your service as well. I appreciate you being here with us uh to share Your perspective and interest and support for those 36 54. Uh now I'd like to call upon Mr Top um William top um from the Veterans of Foreign uh BMW Post 2498
to testify again on House 36 54. Mr Top um Mr Chairman, this is tom keating Mr tappin called me about an hour ago. He is experiencing some severe illness and will not be able to be a part of today's hearing. Thank you for the update and I wish Mr top um a speedy recovery and uh thank you, I'll let him know. Thank you. We're going to go to Mr Arnold, Chris Arnold who is a representative from the Department of Defense, the Northeast regional liaison, who will be speaking overall on the legislation that's been filed from many of our colleagues in both the House and Senate and act relative to military spouse license of affordability, education, enrollment of dependence. Mr. Arnold, please. please. Sure.
CHRISTOPHER ARNOLD - DOD - SB 2433 - SB 2429 - HB 3697 - HB 3648 - Thank you. Mr. Chairman, honorable co chairs and committee members. The department is grateful for the opportunity to support the policies reflected in Senate bills 2433 2429 and House bills 3697 and 3648 which are colloquially known as the Military Speed Act of 2021. I am Christopher Arnold, the Northeast region liaison at the United States Department of Defense State Liaison1884 Office, operating under1885 the direction of the Under Secretary of Defense for personnel and readiness. My1889 sincere apologies today as we are attempting to uh make our Teams 365 environment work. I cannot seem to get my camera working, but hopefully the audio is coming through loud and clear. And as brevity is the soul of wit, I will endeavour not to repeat much of what my written testimony has already said about the department's plan, the status of license portability in Massachusetts and efforts to include licensure as a part of strategic basing criteria.
The department has established and is working on three lines of effort to improve license portability for military1921 spouses as the first lady has said, improving1924 license portability for service members and their spouses as a national security imperative. These lines of efforts seek to improve state licensing laws to allow a military spouse to receive a license with minimal paperwork within 30 days of an application to ensure state licensing boards implement their laws and make information about their application practices accessible to military spouses and to improve profession specific licensure compacts as a long-term solution to license portability, The1948 department is especially grateful to chairman Velis for sponsoring this legislation, which is a continuation of the ongoing efforts in Massachusetts to advance the department's key issues.
Governor Baker has taken multiple steps which make the process of transferring professional licenses simpler for military personnel and their spouses arriving in Massachusetts, including executive order 593 which establishes a 30 day time limit for the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure to respond to a military spouse with either an expedited license temporary license or the next steps they must take to meet the requirements. Massachusetts has appointed a single point of contact at DPL to track applications for military spouses to provide accessibility and fully implement their licensing law and rules, including meeting the 30 day window. DPL also recently researched and delivered a report regarding participation in interested licensure compacts, the preferred end state by the department and our military services.
It has been a great pleasure for me to get to know the majority of you this past year. And as you are aware, these four bills express the department's2008 policy intent on six of our quality of life issues for service members and their families. In areas involving license portability, K through 12 Education and higher education. The department continues to engage states on the issue of military spouse licensure, and the states continue to work towards better portability. Section 283 of the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act outlines a requirement with regards to licensure portability that the service secretaries take into consideration the portability of licensure credentials when making basing decisions. Having the military departments include licensure as a part of their strategic basic criteria highlights the importance of improving portability.
The Speed Act ensures Massachusetts will meet the department's current criteria of state licensing boards being able to provide a military spouse a license temporary or permanent within 30 days, with minimal paperwork. Pivoting for a moment to the other important components2058 of this legislation, and the policies are reflected in the bill. The Speed Act will close the potential loophole where a child or spouse of an active duty service member can lose in state tuition eligibility if the military sponsor is assigned out of state. The bill also enacts the department's best practices for advanced enrollment, Purple Star Schools and virtual schools. The interstate compact on educational opportunity for military Children provides opportunities for assistance during transition but does not address these areas, which were identified and developed after the compact was formed.
Among other factors, school quality impacts basing decisions. The Air Force already releases an annual scorecard on how supportive states are of airmen, space professionals, air guardsmen and their families when it comes to transferring professional licenses and support for transitioning military connected students. Purple Star is an opt in recognition effort whose2106 planks are already in place in many districts and are underway. Passage of the policies and the Speed Act will create a culture of support for military families statewide so that military orders will be accepted as proof of residency in every district in the state, and so that military connected students will have access2123 to virtual programming as they transition in and out of the state. Together with in state tuition continuity all four of these issues have been placed in the department's top 10 list of prioritized personnel and readiness issues.
This legislation is not only beneficial to the 4500 active duty personnel at Barnes, Cape Cod, Devens, Hanscom, Natick or Westover, or the Bay State's 18,500 guard members and reservists, but to smaller populations of active duty personnel scattered around the state, such as recruiters, ROTC instructors, active guard and reserve personnel, military entrance processing station2154 staff and reserve unit administrators and garrison staff at guard posts, armories and so many others. In closing, let me say that we are grateful to Chairman Velis, Representative Tom Stanley who covers Hanscom as well as to our immediate past committee chairs, Senator Timilty and Representative Dean Campbell for helping shepherd this legislation through the General Court.
I'd also like to recognize and thank Miss Laurel Wironen our school liaison officer at Hanscom, Major General Keith, Rear Admiral Orzalli our MIC3 commissioner and Lieutenant Colonel John Beatty, Executive director of the Military asset and Security strategy Task force for all their hard work and efforts on behalf of military families in Massachusetts. Their work will be directly and positively impacted by the speed act and the continued effort of the General Court and the governor. On behalf of the Department of Defense. We thank you for considering2202 this legislation and respectfully pray for your favorable report of the policies set forth in the bill as always, as liaison to the Northeast I stand ready to answer whatever questions you may have. Thank you.
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you, Mr Arnold for your testimony and thank you for emphasizing the significance and importance not only to uh support veterans and their families, but also the partnership that we have in our role in the state, to partner with uh federal colleagues to make sure that we can continue to bring the2237 deserving services and and uh resources to those who served our country. Um, I just want to remind uh colleagues on the committee who have joined us virtually that you're welcome. Class anyone testifying questions. Um, if you have that, do the teams, uh, software, the team's app, you raise your hand feature, you let the staff know that you have a question for someone that has testified and we'll be able to come back to you to ask that question. Um, that being said, I now want to turn it over again to Senator Villas, who has a question for Mr Arnold,
VELIS - Thank you. Mr Chairman Mr. Arnold I appreciate your greatly appreciate your time here today2280 and all of the legwork you've done on this, you've been clearly this is something that you've led on and we are greatly appreciative. I'm just hoping you can speak to one of the things that we've heard and as preparing for this and filing this bill, doing some research on2293 it. There's been a lot of conversation that, you know, some could be forgiven for saying Massachusetts is already doing this within 30 days. Um, and of course the governor recently had a couple of executive orders. So I guess my question would be, can you speak to the importance of the Legislature actually codifying this as opposed to executive orders and as opposed to already being bet common practice in the Commonwealth right now. Please.
ARNOLD - Certainly. So through the department's work with the states, the department found that many states have considered their new laws as creating reciprocity for military spouses, even though the2332 outcomes are not equivalent. I know there's been a lot of concern around the strategic basing evaluations which are structured around multifaceted measures including infrastructure, logistical support factors, environmental impact factors, cost training requirements, operational factors, strategic location, personnel and family support, as well as quality of life. This is not a new issue. The military departments 'announced the concept of including licensure as a part of strategic based on criteria in a letter sent by the secretaries of the Military departments to the NGA, back in February of 2018.
The letter cited examples of professions such as medical, legal engineering, Air Force accounting, cosmetic arts and the Air Force Strategic Basic Team subsequently developed a criteria around those nine occupations. Uh Section 283 of the NDAA Or National Defense Authorization Act, codified that requirement at the federal level. And currently uh the Department of Defense and2391 the military departments communicate separately with the States through various websites and correspondence. As a result, the states may receive differing feedback between the Department of Defense and the military departments which can differ based on the as of date of the data as well as differences in criteria. Uh The Office of the Secretary of Defense has been working with the military departments to develop a consistent approach2417 to evaluating state licensure as part of the strategic basing criteria.
And the Air Force's bottom line and the department's Bottom line are the same in so far as providing a military spouse with a license temporary or permanent within 30 days uh with minimum initial paperwork. But on that line of effort for uh not only implementation but accessibility, uh codification uh Moves the needle if you will in terms of that air force evaluation and the methodology uh that they use or that they award uh credit for. Uh while the department follows on uh with studies such as the University of Minnesota study I referenced in my testimony in 2017. An ongoing study we have with the clearinghouse for military family readiness at Penn State it Actually measured that outcome because we found that in states that have legislation and in states that have executive orders, they don't always meet the2478 intent or or the language of the law. But in terms of what the air force has communicated to the states, uh certainly having that requirement on the books for 30 days is an optimal end state.
VELIS - Thank you. Um, just just changing gears here for a second, I just want to get your thoughts on this. I mean to me this is we need to move on this because I think it's the, I think it's the right thing to do again, it's kind of expanding what we already do in terms of our advocacy for the veterans, but we need to expand that to include their families. But I keep on going back as I'm preparing for today and kind of doing a deep dive on a lot of these issues. I think first and foremost, more than anything, this is really a readiness issue and obviously what I mean by that, I know, you know what I mean by that, but just if you have a, you know, in preparing for this, I spoke to several spouses of service members and I kind of played a hypothetical with them.
And I asked them if in fact you're significant, your husband or wife were PCSing and were2536 changing duty stations, what would be the first things that you would look at? And without hesitation invariably say they'd say schools, if they have Children and my ability to continue2547 to continue to work and get that job kind of in an expedient fashion because if it's not something that's done and this is why I think that time period is so critical. The average PCS is what 24-36 months. If2559 it's something where we're delaying 9-10 months and things aren't getting done, that's that second income. But what these, what these family members, what these spouses said to me is that it would cause them They would make a serious case and try to convince their spouse to get out of the service to leave the military altogether.
And that's where I think that readiness component comes in too in the very dangerous world that we're living in today. If we're not doing the right thing by our service members families, the risk we run the risk to the fighting force and our ability to at the end of the day to fight and win wars. Is that, do you, do you share that belief? Is that is that consistent with your background on this?
ARNOLD - Roger. And the best data we have from the surveys that we've performed Individual that most military spouses who do not work would like to provide a second income for the security and welfare of their family. Yet 23% remain unemployed due to issues with license portability. Other research research from outside organizations shows unemployment rates for military spouses are as high as 28%. I think my testimony made reference to some of those studies and the National Military Family Association, I think put it best when they said quote while military spouses2643 as a2644 group are more educated than their civilian counterparts and many are actively pursuing careers, they often struggle to find work. This is due in large part to the challenges of military life, including frequently Frequent military ordered moves.
The average military spouse will move 6-9 times over the course of his or her service member's career. Many military spouses respond to this reality by seeking out portable careers uh in the healthcare field such as physical therapy. However, these portable careers are often accompanied by new obstacles such as the need to obtain and renew2677 a state issued license or certification. More than half of military spouses work in a career field that requires licensure or certification. And more than 72% of these licenses must be reissued upon every government ordered move to a new state. So you are correct in so far as the average duration or stay is 24-36 months. The ultimate results is folks either changing careers or leaving the military.
VELIS - And then and then lastly, I know that DOD Has come out with guidance on this and then I and then we've spoken on this and then the Air Force has even come out with more. So, so I I guess two part question the Air Force is uh it's and I don't mean to belittle the other services certainly, I guess what I'm asking is the Air Force seems to be even doing more2722 of background and more of scrutinizing in this to make sure that that that their installations, the schools and the and the license report ability. And I guess what I would just point out to you is that at in Massachusetts Anyway, many of our facilities are Air Force correct?
ARNOLD - Roger. So, so first I'm an army guy uh combat vet as well. So thank you for your service chairman. And I can't directly speak for the Air Force as I I work for the department and we we speak jointly. As as far as the real estate is concerned, you have folks from all different components, including the Space Force which recently set up shop at uh Cape Cod Space Force Station. But going forward, the office of the Secretary of Defense and the military departments are working on a unified approach to evaluating licensure that can provide input to the military departments as part of their strategic basing decision process of equal importance to OSD and the military departments is to develop a coordinated approach to communicating with the States. And certainly Massachusetts has been a leader on that effort.
You recently hosted the spouse of the chief staff of the Army and the Chief Staff of the Space Force and they're aware of these ongoing efforts. Uh the Air Force was a bit ahead of the curve in terms of their their first scorecard back in 2019 And their 2021 scorecard is due out rather soon and they have the stoplight evaluation approach, which I think many of you have seen which evaluates the language in the statute itself. But through a coordinated effort, DOD can continue its collaboration with the states to support military families and more specifically license portability for military spouses, which is2828 why we continue to engage states on the issue of military spouse licensure. And the states continue to work towards better portability. And the Bay State certainly has done So much over the 17 years that my office has has been in existed or been in existence, I should say. And we're looking forward to continuing this working relationship to ensure that outcome of a license issued within 30 days.
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you sir.
Thank you Mr Arnold. I appreciate that not only your verbal testimony, but we did receive your written testimony and thank you for taking2868 the time to answer the questions. Uh colleagues, Vitti Subaru, Senator Villas. Do2874 we have any other colleagues from the committee that have questions for? Uh And we're also uh I'm also told that we're joined by Representative Piece who has joined us as well as a member of the committee. Thank you Representative for being here. Um Representative Garlic who filed legislation is on the car. We're going to go back to her bill. Representative Garlic signed on2898 to testify On house 36 54 chair colic. Thank you very much.
REP GARLICK - HB 3654 - I want to thank the chairs for their time and their consideration of H 3654 and say Hello to my colleagues who serve on the committee. This bill is an act relative to providing veterans service survivor benefits. Um I want to first say that I am indebted to the veterans of my own VFW Post in Needham for their input and their leadership in the language of this bill and I want to share with you that it is incredibly important to me as a former VA nurse to work on this issue. Um, but what of this bill is presently under Massachusetts law, 100% disabled That needs to be, um, deaths needs to be the direct result of a service-related injury. This is not true in the federal law in the federal law 100% disabled that their their spouse or their parent of the veteran can receive a benefit. In Massachusetts, the language has been very narrowly tailored.
What does that mean to us? It means if you're 100% disabled vet with PTSD and you die of a heart attack, you do not qualify for the annuity. We are seeking to match our language to the federal language so that 100% disabled vets' loved ones receive the annuity. We're also seeking to increase the annuity for the first time since 2005, from $2,000 per year to 3000 per year. This is a small amount of money I'm sure we all recognize, but for our veterans and their families, not only is it a sign of respect but it also can be of great benefit to them. Um, we know, um, sadly enough that 31% of the veterans nationally report having no emergency savings at all. That means they are leaving their families bereft of this benefit. And we also know since March of 2020 that Um, prior to the COVID epidemic, one and eight veterans families were reporting food insecurity.
Today in our Commonwealth and in our nation, 1.1 in five3023 families, veterans families are reporting food insecurity. This benefit can make a difference to those individuals. Um, we ask for your consideration of this and we will say that it is with great respect that we witnessed the current Secretary of Veterans Services um work with this language when recognizing that the veterans at the Holyoke Soldiers Home who died of COVID were deserving of this benefit, those veterans who were 100% disabled. We want to continue in that vein and in the future moving forward. I thank you very much for your time. We are also3064 submitting written testimony. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you Representative3069 Garlic. I appreciate it and thanks for your leadership on a very important issue. Um any members of the committee, we don't have any members of the committee that have questions for you. Um We are joined by another member of the committee from the House Representative Holmes,3085 thank you for being here as well. Um Next we're going to move on to offer testimony on the license ship affordability and education uh legislation filed. Mr Tim Farrell again, Mr tim Farrell to testify on behalf of the legislation we're discussing today.
TIM FARELL - MCEC- SB 2433 - SB 2429 - HB 3697 - HB 3648 -Yeah, thank you. Mr Chairman. I'm very grateful to be here today. Um I'm the I'm currently serving as the senior vice president and chief operating officer of the Military Child Education Coalition, also known as MCEC. I'm also retired Air3120 Force officer. I served 23 years in our nation's Air Force and in my final tour of duty, though, I never served directly on a PCS assignment in Massachusetts. I was very grateful to be able to command um Air Force security forces from both Hanscom Air Force Base as well as throughout the Massachusetts Air National Guard during my final year of service commanding the 332nd Expeditionary Security forces group Joint Base at Iraq. So again, I'm very grateful for not only all of my colleague's service throughout the nation, but in particular uh, for my Massachusetts colleagues.
Um I want to thank you for the opportunity to provide this testimony on these combined massachusetts bills, which make up the Speed Act. I submit this testimony to communicate MCEC strongest support for this legislation. Our board of directors, chief executive officer, Dr. Becky Porter and I are deeply grateful for Representative and army veteran Dean Campbell, Representative Stanley, senator Timilty and still serving proud army reservist state senator Velis and all the co sponsors leadership in authoring, sponsoring and putting this legislation forward. We urge the joint committee to move a consensus bill forward to both Houses for a full and affirmative vote. Now, with passage of this legislation, the Massachusetts Legislature will join the innovative and impactful precedent set by 22 other states that have already adopted and implement the Purple Star school designation program statewide
Like Massachusetts Eight other states have already introduced legislation to implement the, to implement the Purple Star School designation program. And a lot of that legislation is moving rapidly through those various state legislatures. As you know, Massachusetts and all of America's military connected Children experience academic and social emotional challenges as they relocate to new schools due to a parent's changing duty station. These transitions3225 create challenges since schools often have different cultures curricula, standards, course offerings, schedules and graduation requirements. And as chair Velis and others have stated here, many students struggle as a result of this to stay on track to be college work and life ready. This has the potential, as many of you also stated to impact military readiness by degrading retention of service members and the economic viability of local communities and states that host these military installations.
Military connected students must move whenever they're active duty parent receives a relocation order. Military connected child can expect to move 6 to 9 times from kindergarten through their high school graduation with approximately 200,000 students transitioning to a new school In any given year. 80% of America's military connected Children attend public schools and in every state with the military installation, Military connected Children will be transitioning into and out of nearby public schools due to a parent's PCS orders. With an estimated 1.2 million active duty military connected US Children enrolled in schools in the United States and abroad the number of Children affected by these transitions is significant. A Purple Star school designation Let's military parents know whether their Active duty in the National Guard Reserves or proud veterans that a school is dedicated to helping their child gained the educational skills necessary to be college work in life ready.
It signals to a school that also supports social and emotional well being of these military kids adjusting the new schools and the absence of a parent during deployment. The Purple Star School program offers states like Massachusetts the following benefits. All states have obligations under the Interstate compact on educational opportunity for military Children. Although the Purple Star School program is not funded3324 by or associated with the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission, which administers the compact. A statewide Purple Star School program shares the compacts goals of ensuring that military Children transition successfully into new schools and stay on track for graduation. And as many of you stated, it helps protect state revenue. The US Military is now including the quality of through 12 schools near military facilities. As part of its calculus in deciding future basing and personnel decisions.
Communities with Purple Star schools can help retain bases and attract military families who bring economic benefits to these local communities. Purple Star schools foster diverse, inclusive and supportive school environments through their initiatives and trainings which serve all students regardless of their military connection. Now to better understand the landscape and impact of the Purple Start School program. MCEC again we're the Initiative National Advocate, we engaged the Center for Public Research and Leadership at Columbia University to conduct a study of the program across four states. In this report, which I attached to my written testimony, we summarized3385 the findings of that investigation assessing the strengths of current initiatives, identifying potential areas of growth and offering recommendations to guide an improvement of extent and emergent initiatives.
We found that the Purple Star School program has already gained traction and motivated hundreds of3400 schools and scores of districts across the country to improve services for military connected students and families. This is especially notable given that the program has been in place for less than three years in most states with a third of that time overlapping the COVID-19 health crisis. The Purple Star School program's true value derived from potential to centralize and make knowledge accessible, deliver stakeholder networks and support schools in cultivating and communicating cultural competency in supporting military connected families. Now, most Purple Star schools and districts had programming for military families in place before seeking this designation. Nevertheless, faculty reported that they've benefited from the Purple Star School application3439 process and the encouragement to refine and expand programming related to the program's designation requirements.
Of the core designation requirements, selecting a point of contact, training more staff and faculty and establishing new student transition programs are commonly cited as the highest impact activities designing accessible and relevant dedicated Web page is still a need for many of these schools. Schools and districts appreciate and benefit from the recognition and publicity the designation offers but we've also noticed that brand recognition for the program among families is still fairly low. So a number of simple steps outlined in, uh, in this enclosed report can help states like Massachusetts and their and their associated districts and schools continue to refine Purple Star School Programs and offerings as well as build recognition for the program.
All that considered MCEC can't overstate how important and beneficial this legislation will be in ensuring Massachusetts optimum compliance with its interstate compact responsibilities, but more importantly in continuing and extending Massachusetts leadership in supporting military families, which ultimately supports the retention and military readiness. We wholeheartedly support passage of this legislation. I'm very grateful for the committee's attention. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to provide testimony and MCEC is your national advocate for the Purple Star School program stands ready to serve with you. Thank you very much.3518 Mr Chairman. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you Mr Farrell for your testimony. Thank you for your leadership on behalf of the Military Child Coalition and thank you for your many years of service in the Air Force. We appreciate you being here. I just want to check if any members of the committee have any questions for Mr Farrell. I understand that they do not. So we'll move on to Mr Pete Lupita. The PBA excuse me, um who is the founder of the Purple Star Schools. Again, the subject that's been discussed extensively through the testimony today. So Mr Lowe PBA Yes, Mr Chairman can hear me. I can't Okay, just making sure we have an audio shoes here earlier
PETER LUPIBA - MIC3 - SB 2433 - SB 2429 - HB 3697 - HB 3648 -Honored to provide testimony. Per invitation from Mr Arnold with the DOD. Um, I am uh, the MIC3 commissioner, the MIC3 commissioner3567 for the state of Ohio. So I have a great partner, a Navy veteran in Rear Admiral Clarke Orzalli. I hear a lot of branches being talked about the past hour, but I haven't heard navy. So Clark and I are the guys for Massachusetts and Ohio's active duty military families and proud to represent those families of all branches on behalf of our governors and military families.
So the quick of it is upon appointment of uh, MIC3 Commissioner. And of course the law had been in place for about two years at that time. I said, how do you implement a law faithfully and fully Across the state with speed limits? It's easy whether the rural roads interstates there there. But the MIC3, the educational opportunities for our military families are obviously more than just school counselors and principals. It has to be3627 full knowledge because our recruiters aren't attached to commands and bases, but they're active duty and their across our state urban, rural suburban Appalachia as we have here in Ohio. Uh, and we have great school liaisons that help out the based infrastructures and families in supporting the MIC3. But how do you faithfully and fully implement that law locally? Because you can only do so much from the Statehouse and as we say, the Interstate 270 which circles the capital city of Columbus.
So the only way to do that was to reach out and see what kind of national standards when we asked the question, what does a military, family friendly school looks like? We found out there were elements on the for profit side with colleges and universities, but we didn't see anything on the K12 side in 2015 and 16. So we said we were going to gather our military families, service members, spouses, and military kids of all branches as well as components Guard, Reserve and Active duty we're a little bit Air force heavy here in the buckeye state of Ohio, but we do have those commands, Guard reserves, the3686 armories across our state, on down the list and partner with the adjutant general. And of course I wasn't moving that much in my life, went out anyway.
So um we said to the education professional associations, those executive directors representing superintendents, counselors, saying, okay, what does military family friendly look like we3708 went with these focus groups are um conference calls as well as our online surveys and this is the components we have as listed by Mr. Arnold Mr Farrell,3721 uh and from Lake Erie to the Ohio River. We said this is what a military family friendly school is going to look like. So, partnering with the Ohio Department of Education off of the State council of MIC3 legislators, the office of the governor, the Ohio Department Veteran Services and the Ohio Air and Army National Guard. We said this is what we are going to do. And we launched it at the National Museum of the Air Force in month of the Military Child April.
And said this is the standard that Ohio sets. So any school, this is a school based award, can voluntary apply for the Purple Star award. So we had everything said, but we had no name. So since I was kind of leading the effort as the MIC3 commissioner, they asked me to take the weekend before we launched it and come up with the name and of course those who served understand what gold star means,3769 what blue star means. So I was quick to say, well you mix those beautiful colors of red, white and blue and you get the color purple and since 1986 through the Secretary of Defense3779 April month of the military child. Obviously color purple has been that, um, banner if you will. So that was the quick of how we looked at in Ohio.
My colleagues in the states of Virginia and South Carolina called me soon after in 2018 and 2019 and said we want Ohio's model of what a military, family friendly school and community looks like. Can you get us everything the rubric on how we view things because obviously it's principally housed out of the Ohio Department of Education and of course the background, the data points that came from those focus groups which had everyone at the table across the branches across the education profession. And we're proud to3821 say as Mr. Farrell noted more than 20 states. Uh, and I know California has fast tracked legislation. So I think we're essentially, half the country3830 is purple star if you will in this very, very short period of time.
And why is that? The bottom line is it's because it is organic, it is local nonprofits are involved. Uh, and at the end of the day, the local school professionals are empowered to help the local military families. Not from the Statehouse or from books and laws, but from the schoolhouse doors and the fields and the hallways. I will tell you that I do drive inspiration for being the MIC3 commissioner in Ohio because As soon as I was appointed uh I was looking around and I found the Red Sox Foundation. Yes. The Red Sox Foundation provided great military families video3871 about fort Beverly. I am unaware where Beverly is in the state of Massachusetts but Fort Beverly did a deep dive about an hour program is sponsored by the Red Sox Foundation and said this is what a military family looks like. And this is obviously the run up to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars uh literally 15 years ago.
So I take pride in all that inspiration that has come all the way to Ohio and we hope a little bit coming back from the buckeye state to the commonwealth of Massachusetts in this Purple Star Schools initiative that at the end of the day I think really represents the way forward in all components Guard Reserve active duty and we're proud to see that the US Department Defense and the Military Child Education Coalition have taken this on nationally and that's at the heart of why we have it gone across nearly from sea to shining sea in such a short period time because again as we organized it and formatted it and founded it, it was literally supposed to be only for Lake Eerie to the Ohio River. And right now to this day there are 400 Purple Star schools in the buckeye state of Ohio. Thank you Mr. Chairman and appreciate the leadership and positive support of the Purple Star Schools Initiative as part of this package of legislation known as the Speed Act. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank thank thank you sir for your testimony and uh thank you for your leadership and extremely inspirational sharing your personal perspective on that. And it is amazing some of the conversations that we have in our state capitol buildings and legislatures and and3971 agencies that can have an impact not only in our home states, uh such as you did in Ohio, but nationally. So I commend you on your leadership on a very important issue and thanks for your testimony today and finding some time to join us and sharing your perspective. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
There are no questions from committee members. We have a quick question from a committee member of the Senate available
VELIS - Sir. Thank you so much for joining us from Ohio. Just a real quick question. What has been the, and I think you spoke to this a little bit, but what has been the feedback on the local level? Has there been buy in at the local level for this project?
LUPIBA - The first data point is in all our application Our process is4014 a designation of Purple Star for three years. The first data point is in all schools In the inaugural class of Purple Star Schools more than three years ago have re upped and sought redesignation as Purple Star. And I think that whether before Beverly in Massachusetts or the great states of Florida and California that are fast tracking legislation for Purple Star, speak to that in such a short period of time and leaning on the local leaders as in some folks that were in the military, served in the uniform or are in the guard and reserve components,4050 but they're in the classroom, full time as a coach, as a teacher, as an administrator.
So as far as the first data point, the locals, what do they say? More than 50 schools in that inaugural class of Purple Star School says every one of us want to keep this initiative alive and wanted4067 for another three years. And I think4069 any one of those schools could have said, you know, we've been there, we've done that. Uh,4073 maybe we don't have to tell the state and we'll just keep the emblem and keep going. But they showed their commitment, whether it be with the American Legion that does boy state girl state initiatives at the high school level and on down the list. But I think that's the best. Uh speaking to the initiative here in Ohio of Purple Star, that every inaugural class member has said, we want to do this for another three years. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Great, thank you. Impressive. Thank you again for your testimony. Next, we're going to4103 move on to test to testify today to Amanda Taft, president of the National Guard Association of Massachusetts, has tapped.
AMANDA TEFFT - NAGMA - SB 2429 - HB 3648 - Good afternoon, uh, Chair McMurtry chair Velis and members of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. My name is Amanda Taft and I'm the president of the National Guard Association of Massachusetts, also referred to4127 as NAGMA. On behalf of the members of the National Guard Association of Massachusetts I'll testify before you today to support an act relative to military spouse licensure portability, education and enrollment of dependents. First, I want to begin by thanking former Veterans Committee chairs, Senator Timilty and Representative Campbell for their willingness4149 to file this legislation at the request of NAGAMA. We also want to thank them for their dialogue that began last session on this and other policy areas important to NAGAMA the National Guard and our family members.
Thank you as well to chair Velis and representatives Stanley for filing similar legislation in the interest of time. I will not restate the what the sponsors have so eloquently stated. I will be brief and submit my full testimony to the committee in writing. Over the course of the last 18 months Led by the governor's office, the military asset and strategy, Excuse me. Security strategy task force with the National Guard began to strategize the best way for the commonwealth to move forward on these topics. Mr. Arnold provided a great detail on the licensure portability and benefits to military families and how it will work with national defense priorities. As he mentioned, this act has4204 a broad application4205 affecting our active bases, such as Hanscom and Natick, our reserve bases and Westover and Fort Devens, our National Guard bases at Barnes Air National Guard Base and Joint Base, Cape Cod, and the network of armories and training areas across the commonwealth.
NAGAMA supports this legislation. First and foremost, Massachusetts has a proud history of supporting their veterans and military families, and the passage of this legislation will maintain the commonwealth's practice of leading the nation. Second, this legislation will have a profound impact on recruiting and retention. The Massachusetts National Guard like our peers across the country recruit from active duty ranks. Having these policies in place when pursuing military personnel as they transition from active duty will give the commonwealth a leg4257 up as these military personnel decide where to continue their military service and raise their family. Lastly, as DOD has made clear future basing and personnel decisions will be based in part on local policies to support military families. This legislation can set Massachusetts apart as it competes for future national defense resources and ensure the commonwealth continues to be a leader in our national defense. Thank you for your4284 consideration for this matter. And NAGAMA looks forward to working with the Legislature and executive branch to see this legislation become reality. That's all that I have today.
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you Mr F for your testimony on behalf of the National Guard Association. Um, no questions from committee members and I don't believe we have anyone else that signed up to testify. Um, I do want to take a moment to thank everyone who joined us virtually who testified on behalf of this legislation. I know uh, we have uh, work ahead of us with committee members as we continue to uh learn and and listen and vet this and we'll do what we can to make sure the massachusetts joins the ranks of those states that support to the full extent of veterans and their families. Um, I want to also acknowledge the staff from both Senator4346 Villas office uh 80 and Gabe in my office. Uh, Garrett PJ Ryan and Jody, um who along with Ben have made this virtual hearing possible. Uh In addition, the committee has engaged in conversations relative to conducting listening towards throughout the commonwealth. So if those of you who um didn't get a chance to testify but support this legislation and other legislation that's before the committee, um prior to us meeting in person, which we hope to do so in the fall on, the committee will4383 be traveling to uh destinations throughout the commonwealth with certain subject matters relative to uh military and veteran affairs, um to discuss issues that are important priorities to uh, you know, uh those of us in the legislature and across the commonwealth. Um I also want to thank committee members who joined us. Um one of the proud aspects of this committee has have many members who are engaged in supportive of the
what veterans and their families have done for this commonwealth, the service of to the commonwealth, our nation. So I am pleased and grateful to committee members who have taken time to4428 join us virtually and to participate. Um, and then finally in closing, I want to thank the veterans of this commonwealth, those men and women who put the uniform on and it served us um, from all conflicts, uh, and continue to serve us along with their families. We are so grateful for your service to this commonwealth to our country. Um, all that being said, I will make a motion to close the virtual hearing on4461 the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs and again, thank everyone for their testimony.
© InstaTrac 2025