LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
200 W. Washington St., Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-0696
iga.in.gov
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6749 NOTE PREPARED: Jan 1, 2024
BILL NUMBER: HB 1190 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: Military Relief Fund.
FIRST AUTHOR: Rep. Pack BILL STATUS: As Introduced
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State
XDEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: This bill provides that, for purposes of receiving a grant from the Military Family
Relief Fund (MFRF), eligibility criteria shall be based on the financial need of the applicant regardless of
the applicant's income or assets.
Effective Date: July 1, 2024.
Explanation of State Expenditures: Workload: This bill may increase the number of applicants eligible to
receive grants from the MFRF. The bill does not specify how an applicant would demonstrate financial need
outside of an applicant’s income or assets. A change in the application process as well as a potential increase
in applicants may increase the workload for the Indiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA). Depending
on the rate of applications, the additional workload on IDVA could be outside of the department’s routine
administrative functions, and existing staffing and resource levels, if currently being used to capacity, may
be insufficient for full implementation. The additional funds and resources required could be supplied
through existing staff and resources currently being used in another program or with new appropriations.
Ultimately, the source of funds and resources required to satisfy the requirements of this bill will depend on
legislative and administrative actions.
Increase in Grants: This bill could expand the pool of individuals that would qualify for grants from the
MFRF. This is likely to increase the number of applications and the rate at which money from the MFRF is
expended. Actual changes in expenditures will depend on actions by the IDVA and the Veterans’ Affairs
Commission. Any increase in grant expenditures is expected to be met within existing resources.
Additional Information - The MFRF processed 2,546 applications in fiscal year 2022, awarding 1,763 grants
HB 1190 1 totaling $595,000. A significant majority of the money in the MFRF is received in the form of fees for
military service affiliated license plates. Average annual license plate fee revenue to the MFRF since 2019
has been approximately $1.9 M. IDVA is statutorily prohibited from using any MFRF money to cover the
costs of administering the fund and increased workload associated with the fund must be covered with
General Fund appropriations.
Additionally, the Veterans' Affairs Commission oversees Veterans' Affairs Trust Fund, which was created
in 2007 as a self-sustaining funding source for the MFRF. At the direction of the Veterans' Affairs
Commission, excess money in the MFRF is routinely transferred to the trust fund and money from the trust
fund may be transferred to the MFRF to ensure adequate funding during periods of high usage. As of June
30, 2023, the MFRF had a balance of $3.7 M and the trust fund had a balance of approximately $9.5 M.
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures:
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected: IDVA.
Local Agencies Affected:
Information Sources: Anthony Weber, IDVA; IDVA Annual Reports,
https://www.in.gov/dva/programs-and-services2/the-commission/annual-reports/; LSA Handbook of
Taxes, Revenue and Appropriations, FY 2023.
Fiscal Analyst: Alexander Raggio, 317-234-9485.
HB 1190 2