Assigned to MAPS & APPROP AS PASSED BY COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2670
state agencies; veterans status; inquiry
Purpose
Beginning January 1, 2024, includes the U.S. Space Force in the definition of Armed
Forces of the United States and appropriates $50,000 to the Arizona Department of Veterans'
Services (ADVS) for costs associated with including the U.S. Space Force as an enumerated
branch. Allows ADVS to provide burial services in state veterans' cemeteries for members of the
Arizona National Guard and reserve members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and appropriates $15,000
to ADVS for costs associated with providing burial services.
Background
Duties of ADVS include informing veterans, their families and dependents, military and
civilian authorities about federal, state and local laws enacted to benefit veterans and others as
prescribed, as well as collecting information relating to services and facilities available to veterans
and entering into agreements with veterans' organizations in Arizona holding a charter granted by
the U.S. Congress for the beneficial interest of veterans (A.R.S. § 41-603).
H.B. 2670 appropriates $65,000 from the state General Fund (state GF) to ADVS in FY 2024.
Provisions
1. Allows ADVS to provide burial services in state veterans' cemeteries for members of the
Arizona National Guard and reserve members of the U.S. Armed Forces if the member's
service was terminated under honorable conditions, subject to legislative appropriation and as
authorized by the Burial Equity for Guards and Reserves Act.
2. Appropriates $15,000 from the state GF to ADVS in FY 2024 for costs associated with
providing burial services in state veterans' cemeteries.
3. Includes the U.S. Space Force in the definition of Armed Forces of the United States.
4. Appropriates $50,000 from the state GF to ADVS in FY 2024 for costs associated with
including the U.S. Space Force as an enumerated branch.
5. Makes technical and conforming changes.
6. Becomes effective on January 1, 2024.
FACT SHEET – Amended
H.B. 2670
Page 2
Amendments Adopted by the Military Affairs, Public Safety and Border Security Committee
1. Allows ADVS to provide burial services in state veterans' cemeteries for members of the
Arizona National Guard and reserve members of the U.S. Armed Forces if the member's
service was terminated under honorable conditions, subject to legislative appropriation and as
authorized by the Burial Equity for Guards and Reserves Act.
2. Appropriates $15,000 from the state GF to ADVS in FY 2024 for costs associated with
providing burial services in state veterans' cemeteries.
3. Removes the requirement for all state agencies to ask all individuals, either at the initial point
of service or on an application form, if the individual or a family member has served in the
military, and to provide all those that answer in the affirmative with specified information.
House Action Senate Action
MAPS 2/13/23 DPA 15-0-0-0 MAPS 3/29/23 DPA 7-0-0
3
rd
Read 3/8/32 53-5-2 APPROP 4/4/23 DP 8-2-0
Prepared by Senate Research
June 26, 2023
ZD/sr