Chief Patron: Cox
Additional Veterans Benefit Coordinators

Item 90 #1h

Language
Page 74, line 38, strike "$2,048,948" and insert "$2,325,620".
Page 75, strike lines 6 through 10 and insert:  
"C.  Out of this appropriation, $137,659 the first year and $150,176 the second year from the general fund is provided to add positions at four field offices, one each in Big Stone Gap, Cedar Bluff, Wytheville, and Charlottesville.  The amounts provided shall not be used to support any function other than the direct provision of claims assistance to veterans."
Page 75, after line 10, insert:
"D.  Out of this appropriation, $276,672 the second year from the general fund is provided for an additional six positions to be allocated to the department's field offices.  The amounts provided shall not be used to support any function other than the direct provision of claims assistance to veterans."
Page 75, line 11, strike "D." and insert "E."

Explanation
(This amendment provides $276,672 from the general fund in the second year to support six additional veterans benefit coordinator positions for the Department of Veterans Services (DVS). The amendment also restricts the use of these general fund dollars solely to the direct provision of claims assistance to Virginia's veterans. Futher, the amendment adds language to restrict the use of general fund dollars appropriated during the 2004 Session for additional veterans benefit coordinators to the direct provision of claims assistance. Although these dollars were originally appropriated for staffing in the department's field offices, the money was used for the support of the DVS Commissioner's office.)