Gov. Heineman Signs Veterans' Benefits Bill into Law

(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman on Wednesday signed LB 54 into law. The bill, introduced by Sen. DiAnna Schimek, re-establishes benefit eligibility to veterans who had received general discharges under honorable conditions. Their eligibility had been suspended as a result of a legal opinion issued last year.

“I believe very strongly that we must support our veterans,” Gov. Heineman said. “Ensuring that these benefits are available is the right thing to do. At a time when Nebraskans are fighting abroad for our country, we are constantly reminded of the sacrifices of service men and women and their families.”

Examples of the affected benefits include homestead exemptions, county and state veterans’ aid payments and hunting and fishing licenses. The bill also allows eligible veterans to apply and be processed for residency in one of the state’s four veterans’ homes.

Benefits will be processed retroactively to July 1, 2004. State agencies have maintained a pending file of applications submitted by those veterans with a general discharge under honorable conditions. As of this week, the file contained four pending veterans’ home applications and 31 applications for Nebraska veterans’ aid.

“I’m happy that the Nebraska statute is now clarified,” said John Hilgert, executive director of the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “The agency will act quickly to process applications for these benefits.”

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