HB 173 Proponent Testimony
Presented by Rep. Marlene Anielski, Rep. Louis Terhar, State Representatives
House of Representatives
Before the House Armed Services, Veterans Affairs, and Public Safety Committee
May 30, 2015
Chairman Johnson, Vice Chairman Perales, Ranking Member Craig and members of the House Armed Services, Veterans Affairs, and Public Safety Committee, my name is James Kaster,Retired United Auto Worker formal employed by General Motors. I am here today to testify in support of HB 173 sponsored by Representative Marlene Anielski and Representative Lou Terhar which would establish an Ohio Veterans ID card to be issued by county recorders.
The United Auto Workers union has always supported veterans. The UAW is the only union that has a standing veterans committee and is committed to helping veterans. The Veterans ID card is a good way for the veteran to prove service without having to provide his original DD214. The veterans in the UAW support this new ID because if it is lost, it can be easily replaced, which is not the same with the paper DD214.
The Veterans ID card will display a picture of the veteran as well as various information regarding his or her service to our country. Discharge records are utilized by veterans to prove their eligibility for certain benefits their military service has earned.
The Veterans ID card can also be used to help with voting and for discounts at local businesses. With states making new voter ID laws, this serves as another form of ID and makes voting much more convenient. Because this will serve as a state issued ID and take the place of the paper DD214, it will make it so much easier to vote and take advantage of other services. It protects the veteran from losing the original DD214 because once it is recorder at the recorders office, it will be on file for life.
We have seen local businesses attempt to offer discounts to veterans, but being unfamiliar with military ways have adopted rules and guidelines for operation that exclude some veterans described in promotional campaigns as being eligible, creating ill will and turning a positive idea into a negative experience in the veterans community because the required identification is often not available to the veteran. Additional advantages of recording one’s discharge that may eventually be needed when seeking government benefits for the veteran or surviving family members will assist Ohio’s veterans in receiving benefits to which they may be entitled.
I support the program requirements being established. Department of Veterans Services would establish statewide standards for the design and content standards contained on a veteran ID card issued from recorders offices throughout the state. This legislation is permissive for recorders totake part and would allow the possibility of shared service for Recorders to contract with other local government entities to provide this service for our veterans and keep costs to a minimum.
We appreciate the permissive aspect of the legislation which does not force unfunded mandates on local government entities, yet allows for resource sharing among local government entities.
Once again, Chairman Johnson and members of the committee, thank you for allowing me to testify todayand I encourage you to support this important legislation for our veterans. At this time I would be happy to answer any questions.