Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 25; Title 46, Chapter 6 and Title 58.

This bill requires the department of veterans services to establish and administer an honor guard grant program, the purpose of which is to provide grants to veteran service organizations registered with the secretary of state to offset expenses, including expenses for training, transportation, food, equipment, and supplies, incurred by the organization and members of the organization's honor guard in providing honor guard burial details at the funerals of Tennessee veterans who are eligible to receive a military funeral honors ceremony pursuant to federal law.<br /> <br /> This bill defines a "veteran service organization" as an association, corporation, or other entity that aids and serves veterans, servicemembers, dependents, and survivors and qualifies as a tax exempt 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(9) organization, a federally chartered veterans' service corporation, or a veterans' affairs office or agency established by state law.<br /> <br /> This bill provides that the grant fund is subject to appropriations by the general assembly and gifts, grants, and other donations received by the department for the grant fund. Subject to the availability of funds, this bill requires the department to do the following:<br /> <br /> (1) Allocate and disperse grants each fiscal year to nonprofit veteran service organizations; and<br /> <br /> (2) Establish and publish guidelines for applications, prioritization, and award of grants.<br /> <br /> ON APRIL 20, 2023, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 1072, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #2 makes the following changes to this bill:<br /> <br /> (1) Clarifies that it is the legislative intent that the amount of $75,000 be appropriated in fiscal year 2023-2024 in the general appropriations act for the purpose of awarding honor guard grants from the fund;<br /> <br /> (2) Redefines "veteran service organization" as an association, corporation, or other entity that aids and serves veterans, servicemembers, and dependents and qualifies as a tax exempt 501(c)(19) organization, a federally chartered veterans' service corporation, or a veterans' affairs office or agency established by state law;<br /> <br /> (3) Authorizes the commissioner of veterans services to promulgate rules to effectuate this bill; and<br /> <br /> (4) Changes the effective date to upon becoming a law for the purpose of promulgating rules, and January 1, 2024 for all other purposes.<br />