2023-2024 Regular Session SB 1316 PN 1870 Bill Text (HTM)

PRINTER'S NO. 1870

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

No.

1316

Session of

2024

INTRODUCED BY MASTRIANO, BAKER, AUMENT, PENNYCUICK, BARTOLOTTA,

CULVER, MILLER AND J. WARD, SEPTEMBER 12, 2024

REFERRED TO VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS,

SEPTEMBER 12, 2024

AN ACT

Providing compensation to persons in active service in

connection with the Global War on Terrorism or their

beneficiaries; authorizing the incurring of indebtedness and

the issue and sale of bonds by the Commonwealth for the

payment of compensation contingent upon electorate approval;

establishing the Global War on Terrorism Veterans'

Compensation Bond Fund and the Global War on Terrorism

Veterans' Compensation Bond Sinking Fund; imposing duties on

the Department of General Services; imposing a penalty;

making appropriations; and making a repeal.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1. Short title.

Section 2. Definitions.

Section 3. Computation of compensation.

Section 4. Application for compensation.

Section 5. Incompetence or death.

Section 6. Designation of beneficiaries.

Section 7. Exemption from attachment.

Section 8. Penalty for charging fees for assisting veterans.

Section 9. Administration of compensation program.

Section 10. Payment of compensation.

Section 11. Global War on Terrorism Veterans' Compensation Bond

Fund.

Section 12. Commonwealth indebtedness.

Section 13. Question.

Section 14. Appropriations.

Section 15. Effective date.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Short title.

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Global War on

Terrorism Veterans' Compensation Act.

Section 2. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall

have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Active service." As follows:

(1) For a member of a component of the armed forces of

the United States, the time served on active duty during the

Global War on Terrorism, as proven by the official military

records of the United States or by other evidence deemed

sufficient by the department.

(2) For a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard or a

reserve component of the armed forces of the United States,

time served on active duty for the support of operations in

the Global War on Terrorism whether or not the service was

outside the continental United States, as proven by the

official military records of the United States or by other

evidence deemed sufficient by the department.

(3) The term includes time spent in hospitals as a

result of service-connected wounds, diseases or injuries

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sustained on active service, as proven by the official

military records of the United States or by other evidence

deemed sufficient by the department.

(4) The term does not include time served on active duty

for annual training or schooling, except for training and

schooling in preparation for active duty in the Global War on

Terrorism.

"Compensation." Money awarded to a veteran under this act.

"Department." The Department of Military and Veterans

Affairs of the Commonwealth.

"Facility." A mental health establishment, hospital, clinic,

institution, center, day-care center, base service unit,

community mental health center or other organizational unit, or

part thereof, which is devoted primarily to the diagnosis,

treatment, care, rehabilitation or detention of mentally

disabled persons.

"Fund." The Global War on Terrorism Veterans' Compensation

Bond Fund.

"Global War on Terrorism." The conflict starting September

11, 2001, and ending December 31, 2022, against international

terrorist organizations in operations established by the United

States Department of Defense.

"Issuing officials." The Governor, the Auditor General and

the State Treasurer.

"Legal resident of this Commonwealth." An individual whose

home of record was or is within this Commonwealth without regard

to the place of enlistment, commission or induction, as proven

by the official records of the United States or by other

evidence deemed sufficient by the department.

"Parents." The term includes individuals who, for a period

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of not less than one year, acted in the capacity of a foster

parent to the veteran immediately prior to the veteran having

attained 18 years of age.

"Veterans service officer." An officer of a veterans service

organization trained and accredited by the United States

Department of Veterans Affairs to provide assistance to veterans

and their families.

"Veterans service organization." An organization dedicated

to supporting veterans, service members, dependents and

survivors, which is congressionally chartered or recognized by

the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Section 3. Computation of compensation.

(a) Eligibility.--Compensation shall be payable to each

veteran for active service who:

(1) was a legal resident of this Commonwealth at the

time of service during the Global War on Terrorism; and

(2) either:

(i) is a legal resident of this Commonwealth at the

time of application for benefits under this act; or

(ii) was a legal resident of this Commonwealth when

the individual died.

(b) Exclusion.--Compensation shall not be paid to any of the

following:

(1) An individual who was separated from the armed

forces of the United States under other than honorable

conditions during the Global War on Terrorism or thereafter.

(2) An individual who has renounced the individual's

United States citizenship.

on Terrorism.--Subject to subsection (e), compensation for

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active service in direct support of the Global War on Terrorism

shall be payable in the amount of $1,000. As used in this

subsection, the term "in direct support of the Global War on

Terrorism" means receipt of any of the following for the Global

War on Terrorism:

(1) The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

(2) The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

(3) The Iraq Campaign Medal.

(4) The Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

(5) The Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal.

(d) Compensation for active service during Global War on

Terrorism.--Subject to subsection (e), compensation for active

service during the Global War on Terrorism shall be payable in

the amount of $500.

(e) Eligibility.--An individual may not receive compensation

for active service under subsection (c) and (d).

(f) Deceased veteran.--In addition to any other compensation

under this section, the compensation on behalf of a veteran who

died in active service or as a result of service-connected

wounds, diseases or injuries sustained during active service

shall be $5,000.

(g) Prisoner of war.--In addition to any compensation under

this section, the compensation of a veteran who was declared a

prisoner of war, regardless of the length of time spent as a

prisoner of war, shall, upon return, be $5,000.

(h) Exclusion.--An individual who has received bonuses,

benefits or compensation of a nature similar to that provided

for by this act from any other state shall be ineligible for

compensation. The exclusion shall not apply to a similar bonus,

gratuity or compensation from the Federal Government.

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Section 4. Application for compensation.

(a) Application.--Applications shall be made by a veteran,

the facility entitled under section 5(a) or the beneficiaries

designated under section 5(b) to the department.

(b) Review and determination.--Any of the following may

receive and process an application under subsection (a) and

determine whether to award compensation and the amount of

compensation:

(1) The department.

(2) A veterans service officer from a veterans service

organization.

(3) A county director of veterans affairs.

Global War on Terrorism bonus, a veteran may designate some or

all of their compensation for donation to the Veterans' Trust

Fund. Upon approval of a veteran's Global War on Terrorism

compensation, the department shall transfer the designated

amount to the Veterans' Trust Fund in the name of the veteran.

(d) Veterans Registry requirement.--Prior to application, a

veteran must register or shall be registered on their behalf

with the department's Veterans Registry.

(e) Application period.--The department may not accept

applications on or after 20 years from the effective date of

this subsection.

Section 5. Incompetence or death.

(a) Incompetence.--If a veteran is found to be incompetent

and if no guardian has been appointed, payment shall be made for

the benefit of the veteran to the person that is entitled to

payment under subsection (b) or, in the absence of the person

and if the veteran is in a facility, to the person in charge of

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the facility to be expended for the clothing and incidental

needs of the veteran. No part of the compensation paid to a

facility shall be used for the maintenance of the veteran. A

statement from the person in charge of the facility in which the

veteran resides shall be evidence to determine the competence of

the veteran.

(b) Death.--If a veteran is deceased, payment shall be made,

in the order named, to the:

(1) surviving spouse unless the spouse was living

separate and apart from the veteran at the time of departure

for active service;

(2) surviving children, in equal shares; or

(3) surviving parents, in equal shares.

Section 6. Designation of beneficiaries.

Each individual applying for compensation shall state in the

application the names and addresses of each person that, under

this act, would be entitled to receive compensation in the event

of the death of the applicant. If the applicant dies before the

payment of the compensation, the application shall be deemed to

inure to the benefit of the person next entitled to

compensation, and payment shall be made to the individual upon

proof of identity satisfactory to the department. If no person

is designated under this section as being entitled to

compensation survives the veteran, the right to the compensation

shall cease.

Section 7. Exemption from attachment.

(a) General rule.--Sums payable under this act to a veteran

or to any other authorized person under this act shall not be

subject to attachment, levy or seizure under any legal or

equitable process and shall be exempt from all State taxation.

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Subject to subsection (b), a right to compensation is not

assignable or may not serve as a security for any loan. Any

assignment or loan made in violation of this section shall be

void.

(b) Validity.--Assignments to an incorporated or

unincorporated organization of veterans, a nonprofit corporation

formed solely for the purpose of aiding disabled or

incapacitated veterans and the State Veterans' Commission shall

be valid.

Section 8. Penalty for charging fees for assisting veterans.

A person that charges or collects or attempts to charge or

collect, either directly or indirectly, any fee or other

compensation for assisting a veteran in obtaining compensation

commits a misdemeanor of the second degree.

Section 9. Administration of compensation program.

(a) Duties.--The department shall administer this act,

including preparing and distributing application forms,

verifying application information and, if satisfied of the proof

of an application, approving and paying compensation.

(b) Rules and regulations.--The department shall promulgate

rules and regulations to implement, administer and enforce this

act. The department shall, as soon as practicable after the

effective date of this subsection, prepare and distribute a

digest explaining the provisions of this act to assist veterans

in filing their applications and shall prepare and distribute

additional or supplemental information as may be found

necessary. The department shall enlist the services of veterans

service organizations to disseminate the digest and supplemental

information and to receive, process and make determinations on

compensation for each application. An amount of 2% of the total

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bond may be used for administration of this act.

Section 10. Payment of compensation.

Compensation payable shall, upon requisition by the

department, be paid by the State Treasurer from the fund. The

source of the fund shall be money generated from a proposed bond

issue. Payments shall be made as soon as possible after money is

available.

Section 11. Global War on Terrorism Veterans' Compensation Bond

Fund.

(a) Purpose.--The Global War on Terrorism Veterans'

Compensation Bond Fund is created in the State Treasury and

shall be the source from which all compensation payments are

authorized with the approval of the Governor to carry out the

purposes of this act. Money in the fund shall only be utilized:

(1) For the purpose of providing compensation to

veterans in accordance with the provisions of this act.

(2) For the administrative costs of this act, including

the costs incurred in the issuance of the bonds.

(b) Interfund transfers authorized.--

(1) (i) If the cash balance and the current estimated

receipts of the fund are insufficient at any time during

a State fiscal year to meet the obligations of the

Commonwealth from the fund, the State Treasurer is

authorized and directed during the fiscal year to

transfer from the General Fund to the fund money as the

Governor directs, but in no case less than the amount

necessary to meet the obligations to be paid from the

fund nor more than an amount which is the smallest of:

(A) the difference between the amount of debt

authorized to be issued under the authority of this

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act and the aggregate principal amount of bonds and

notes issued, not including refunding bonds and

replacement notes; and

(B) the difference between the aggregate

principal amount of bonds and notes to be issued

during a State fiscal year and the aggregate

principal amount of bonds and notes, not including

refunding bonds and replacement notes, issued during

such State fiscal year.

(ii) Money transferred shall be available only for

the purposes for which money is appropriated from the

fund. The transfers shall be made under this section upon

warrant of the State Treasurer upon requisition of the

Governor.

(2) In order to reimburse the General Fund for money

transferred from the General Fund under paragraph (1), there

shall be transferred to the General Fund from the fund money

from the proceeds obtained from bonds and notes issued under

the authority of this act or from other available money in

amounts and at times as the Governor shall direct. The

retransfers shall be made upon warrant of the State Treasurer

upon requisition of the Governor.

Section 12. Commonwealth indebtedness.

(a) Borrowing authorized.--

(1) If the electorate approves a referendum question for

the incurring of indebtedness in the amount and for the

purposes prescribed in this act, the issuing officials, in

accordance with the provisions of section 7(a)(3) of Article

VIII of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, are authorized and

directed to borrow, on the credit of the Commonwealth, money

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not exceeding in the aggregate the sum of $50,000,000, not

including money borrowed to refund outstanding bonds, notes

or replacement notes, as may be found necessary to carry out

the purposes of this act.

(2) As evidence of the indebtedness, general obligation

bonds of the Commonwealth shall be issued to provide money

necessary to carry out the purposes of this act in amounts,

in such form, in such denominations and subject to such terms

and conditions of issue, redemption and maturity, rate of

interest and time of payment of interest as the issuing

officials direct, except that the latest stated maturity date

shall not exceed 20 years from the date of the first

obligation issued to evidence the debt.

(3) All bonds and notes issued under the authority of

this act shall bear facsimile signatures of the issuing

officials and a facsimile of the Great Seal of the

Commonwealth and shall be countersigned by a duly authorized

officer of a duly authorized loan and transfer agent of the

Commonwealth.

(4) All bonds and notes issued in accordance with the

provisions of this section shall be direct obligations of the

Commonwealth, and the full faith and credit of the

Commonwealth is hereby pledged for the payment of the

interest thereon, as it becomes due, and the payment of the

principal at maturity. The principal of and interest on the

bonds and notes shall be payable in lawful money of the

United States.

(5) All bonds and notes issued under the provisions of

this section shall be exempt from taxation for State and

local purposes.

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(6) The bonds may be issued as coupon bonds or

registered as to both principal and interest as the issuing

officials may determine. If interest coupons are attached,

the coupons shall contain the facsimile signature of the

State Treasurer.

(7) The issuing officials shall provide for the

amortization of the bonds in substantial and regular amounts

over the term of the debt so that the bonds of each issue

shall mature within a period not to exceed the appropriate

amortization period as specified by the issuing officials but

in no case in excess of 20 years. The first retirement of

principal shall be stated to mature prior to the expiration

of a period of time equal to one-tenth of the time from the

date of the first obligation issued to evidence the debt to

the date of the expiration of the term of the debt.

Retirements of principal shall be regular and substantial if

made in annual or semiannual amounts whether by stated serial

maturities or by mandatory sinking fund retirements.

(8) The issuing officials are authorized to provide by

resolution for the issuance of refunding bonds for the

purpose of refunding any debt issued under the provisions of

this act and then outstanding, either by voluntary exchange

with the holders of the outstanding debt or providing money

to redeem and retire the outstanding debt with accrued

interest, any premium payable on the debt and the costs of

issuance and retirement of the debt, at maturity or at any

call date. The issuance of the refunding bonds, the

maturities and other details, the rights of the holders and

the duties of the issuing official shall be governed by the

provisions of this section. Refunding bonds, which are not

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subject to the aggregate limitation of $50,000,000 of debt to

be issued under this act, may be issued by the issuing

officials to refund debt originally issued or to refund bonds

previously issued for refunding purposes.

(9) If any action is to be taken or decision made by the

Governor, the Auditor General and the State Treasurer acting

as issuing officials and the three officers are not able

unanimously to agree, the action or decision of the Governor

and either the Auditor General or the State Treasurer shall

be binding and final.

(b) Sale of bonds.--

(1) Upon issuance, bonds shall be offered for sale at

not less than 98% of the principal amount and accrued

interest and shall be sold by the issuing officials to the

highest and best bidder or bidders after due public

advertisement on the terms and conditions and upon open

competitive bidding as the issuing officials direct. The

manner and character of the advertisement and the time of

advertising shall be prescribed by the issuing officials.

(2) Any portion of any bond issued and not sold or

subscribed for at public sale may be disposed of by private

sale by the issuing officials in the manner and at prices,

not less than 98% of the principal amount and accrued

interest, as the Governor shall direct.

(2.1) No commission shall be allowed or paid for the

sale of any bonds issued under the authority of this act.

(3) Upon issuance of bonds, the bonds of each issue

shall constitute a separate series to be designated by the

issuing officials or may be combined for sale as one series

with other general obligation bonds of the Commonwealth.

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(4) Until permanent bonds can be prepared, the issuing

officials may issue, in lieu of permanent bonds, temporary

bonds in the form and with privileges as to registration and

exchange for permanent bonds as may be determined by the

issuing officials.

(5) Proceeds from the sale of bonds and notes, except

refunding bonds and replacement notes, under the provisions

of this act shall be paid into the fund. The proceeds shall

be paid by the State Treasurer to the department for purposes

of payment of compensation. The proceeds of the sale of

refunding bonds and replacement notes shall be paid to the

State Treasurer and applied to the payment of principal, the

accrued interest and premium, if any, and cost of redemption

of the bonds and notes for which the obligations shall have

been issued.

(6) Pending application for the purposes authorized,

money held or deposited by the State Treasurer may be

invested or reinvested as are other funds in the custody of

the State Treasurer in the manner provided by law. All

earnings received from the investment or deposit of money

shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the

fund. The earnings in excess of bond discounts allowed,

expenses paid for the issuance of bonds and notes and

interest arbitrage rebates due to the Federal Government

shall be transferred annually to the fund. Interest or

investment income shall be applied to assist in the payment

of the debt service incurred in connection with this act.

(7) The Auditor General shall prepare the necessary

registry book to be kept in the office of the duly authorized

loan and transfer agent of the Commonwealth for the

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registration of any bonds, at the request of owners thereof,

according to the terms and conditions of issue directed by

the issuing officials.

(8) There is appropriated to the State Treasurer from

the fund as much money as may be necessary for all costs and

expenses in connection with the issue of and sale and

registration of the bonds and notes in connection with this

act and the payment of interest arbitrage rebates or proceeds

of the bonds and notes.

(1) Pending the issuance of bonds of the Commonwealth as

authorized, the issuing officials are authorized, in

accordance with the provisions of this act and on the credit

of the Commonwealth, to make temporary borrowings not to

exceed three years in anticipation of the issuance of bonds

in order to provide money deemed advisable prior to the

issuance of bonds. In order to provide for and in connection

with the temporary borrowings, the issuing officials are

authorized in the name and on behalf of the Commonwealth to

enter into any purchase, loan or credit agreement or

agreements, or other agreement or agreements with any banks

or trust companies or other lending institutions, investment

banking firms or persons in the United States having power to

enter into the same, which agreements may contain provisions

not inconsistent with the provisions of this act as may be

authorized by the issuing officials.

(2) All temporary borrowings made under this section

shall be evidenced by notes of the Commonwealth which shall

be issued in amounts not exceeding in the aggregate the

applicable statutory and constitutional debt limitation in

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the form and in the denominations and subject to terms and

conditions of sale and issue, prepayment or redemption and

maturity, rate or rates of interest and time of payment of

interest as the issuing officials shall authorize and direct

in accordance with this act. The authorization and direction

may provide for the subsequent issuance of replacement notes

to refund outstanding notes or replacement notes, which

shall, upon issuance, evidence the borrowing and may specify

other terms and conditions with respect to the notes and

replacement notes authorized for issuance as the issuing

officials may determine and direct.

(3) If the authorization and direction of the issuing

officials provide for the issuance of replacement notes, the

issuing officials are authorized in the name and on behalf of

the Commonwealth to issue, enter into or authorize and direct

the State Treasurer to enter into agreements with any banks,

trust companies, investment banking firms or other

institutions or persons in the United States having the power

to enter the same:

(i) To purchase or underwrite an issue or series of

issues or notes.

(ii) To credit, to enter into any purchase, loan or

credit agreements, to draw money pursuant to the

agreements on the terms and conditions set forth therein

and to issue notes as evidence of borrowings made under

any such agreements.

(iii) To appoint an issuing and payment agent or

agents with respect to notes.

(iv) To do other acts as may be necessary or

appropriate to provide for the payment, when due, of the

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interest on and the principal of such notes. Such

agreements may provide for the compensation of any

purchasers or underwriters of notes or replacement notes

by discounting the purchase price of the notes or by

payment of a fixed fee or commission at the time of

issuance and all other costs and expenses, including fees

for agreements related to the notes, issuing and paying

agent costs and costs and expenses of issuance, may be

paid from the proceeds of the notes.

(4) If the authorization and direction of the issuing

officials provide for the issuance of replacement notes, the

State Treasurer shall:

(i) at or prior to the time of delivery of these

notes or replacement notes, determine the principal

amounts, dates of issue, interest rate or rates, or

procedures for establishing rates, rates of discount,

denominations and all other terms and conditions relating

to the issuance and shall perform all acts and things

necessary to pay or cause to be paid, when due, all

principal of and interest on the notes being refunded by

replacement notes; and

(ii) ensure that the issuing officials may draw upon

money available for that purpose pursuant to any

purchase, loan or credit agreements established with

respect thereto, subject to the authorization and

direction of the issuing officials.

(5) Outstanding notes evidencing borrowings may be

funded and retired by the issuance and sale of the bonds of

the Commonwealth. The refunding bonds must be issued and sold

not later than a date three years after the date of issuance

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of the first notes evidencing the borrowings to the extent

that payment of the notes has not otherwise been made or

provided for by sources other than proceeds of replacement

notes.

(6) The proceeds of all temporary borrowing shall be

paid to the State Treasurer to be held and disposed of in

accordance with the provisions of this act.

(d) Global War on Terrorism Veterans' Compensation Bond

Sinking Fund.--

(1) The Global War on Terrorism Veterans' Compensation

Bond Sinking Fund is created in the State Treasury. All bonds

issued under the authority of this act shall be redeemed at

maturity, together with all interest due on the bonds, and

the principal and interest payments shall be paid from the

Global War on Terrorism Veterans' Compensation Bond Sinking

Fund. For the specific purpose of redeeming the bonds at

maturity and paying all interest thereon in accordance with

the information received from the Governor, the General

Assembly shall appropriate money to the Global War on

Terrorism Veterans' Compensation Bond Sinking Fund for the

payment of interest on the bonds and notes and the principal

thereof at maturity. All money paid into the Global War on

Terrorism Veterans' Compensation Bond Sinking Fund and all of

the money not necessary to pay accruing interest shall be

invested by the State Treasurer in securities as are provided

by law for the investment of the sinking funds of the

Commonwealth.

(2) The State Treasurer, with the approval of the

Governor, is authorized to use any of the money in the fund

not necessary for the purposes of the referendum authorizing

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the indebtedness necessary to carry out this act, for the

purchase and retirement of all or any part of the bonds and

notes issued pursuant to the authorization of this act. In

the event that all or any part of the bonds and notes are

purchased, they shall be canceled and returned to the loan

and transfer agent as canceled and paid bonds and notes, and,

thereafter, all payments of interest thereon shall cease. The

canceled bonds, notes and coupons, together with any other

canceled bonds, notes and coupons, shall be destroyed as

promptly as possible after cancellation but not later than

two years after cancellation. A certification evidencing the

destruction of the canceled bonds, notes and coupons shall be

provided by the loan and transfer agent to the issuing

officials. All canceled bonds, notes and coupons shall be so

marked as to make the canceled bonds, notes and coupons

nonnegotiable.

(3) The State Treasurer shall determine and report to

the Secretary of the Budget by November 1 of each year the

amount of money necessary for the payment of interest on

outstanding obligations and the principal of the obligations,

if any, for the following fiscal year and the times and

amounts of the payments. It shall be the duty of the Governor

to include in every budget submitted to the General Assembly

full information relating to the issuance of bonds and notes

under the provisions of this act and the status of the Global

War on Terrorism Veterans' Compensation Bond Sinking Fund of

the Commonwealth for the payment of interest on the bonds and

notes and the principal thereof at maturity.

(4) The General Assembly shall appropriate an amount

equal to the sums as may be necessary to meet repayment

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obligations for principal and interest for deposit into the

Global War on Terrorism Veterans' Compensation Bond Sinking

Fund.

(e) Expiration.--Authorization to issue bonds and notes, not

including refunding bonds and replacement notes, for the purpose

of this act shall expire 10 years from the effective date of

this subsection.

Section 13. Question.

(a) Submission of question to electorate.--The question of

incurring indebtedness of up to $50,000,000 for the purposes

specified in this act shall be submitted to the electors at the

next general election following the effective date of this

subsection.

(b) Certification.--The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall

certify the question to the county boards of elections.

substantially the following form:

Do you favor indebtedness by the Commonwealth of up to

$50,000,000 for the payment of compensation for service

in the Global War on Terrorism?

(d) Election.--The election shall be conducted in accordance

with the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the

Pennsylvania Election Code, except that the time limits for

advertisement of notice of the election may be waived as to the

question.

(e) Proceeds.--Proceeds of the borrowing shall be used for

the payment of compensation for service in or in support of the

Global War on Terrorism.

Section 14. Appropriations.

(a) Compensation appropriation.--For the purpose of payment

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for the compensation to veterans, staff services, postage and

other necessary expenses incurred by the department in the

administration of this act, sums, or as much thereof as may be

necessary, are specifically appropriated to the department out

of any money in the Global War on Terrorism Veterans'

Compensation Bond Fund.

(b) Continuing appropriations.--The appropriation under

subsection (a) shall be a continuing appropriation and shall not

lapse.

Section 15. Effective date.

This act shall take effect as follows:

(1) This section and sections 9 and 13(a), (b), (c) and

(d) shall take effect immediately.

(2) The remainder of this act shall take effect after

the certification of the approval by the electorate to incur

the indebtedness necessary to carry out the provisions of

this act.

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