HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 84

(By Delegates Cooper and Fleischauer)

[Originating in the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security, on March 31, 2021]

Requesting That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the declining population of military service veterans in West Virginia, and the policies, programs and other factors present in states with increasing populations of military service members and veterans that could potentially be emulated in West Virginia.

Whereas, the Legislature finds that the military service veterans of West Virginia are an asset to the body politic and have repeatedly shown themselves to be civic, business and governmental leaders of exemplary value to their communities; and

            Whereas, the Legislature finds that the military service members and veterans of West Virginia exemplify the virtues of duty, honor, and self-sacrifice in the furtherance and preservation of the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of West Virginia and all the fundamental rights and inviolable freedoms preserved to the people therein; and

            Whereas, the Legislature finds that veterans not only bring hard skills from their military occupation; they also bring soft skills that most employers are unwilling to or can’t train, often have in demand security clearances, are flexible, adaptable, and highly trainable, are entrepreneurs and approximately 13,000 veteran owned businesses in WV; and

            Whereas, the Legislature finds that America’s veteran population has declined 33% since 2000 and projected to decline another 33% by 2040; and        

Whereas, Legislature finds that The U.S. Veterans Administration (hereafter “VA”) projects West Virginia’s veteran population to decline from its 2019 estimate of 141,341 veterans to 114,000 in 2030, and 92,000 in 2040; and

Whereas, the Legislature finds that VA’s estimated West Virginia rate of decline is higher than the national rate of decline at 35% over the next 20 years; and

Whereas, the Legislature finds that the Bureau of Labor and Statics (hereafter “BLS”) estimated veteran population numbers are not as optimistic as those of the VA; and

Whereas, the Legislature finds that VA and BLS both indicate that approximately 50% of WV veterans are  over 65 years old; and

Whereas, the Legislature finds that VA and BLS both indicate West Virginia’s 18-34 year old veteran population is significantly less that the national average; and

Whereas, the Legislature finds that VA estimates do not consider loss of West Virginia youth to military service that do not return to West Virginia after completing their service obligation; and

Whereas, the Legislature finds that In 2019, 339 active duty Army Soldiers separated from service that entered the Army from West Virginia but Only 75 of the 339 (22%) indicated they were returning to West Virginia; and

Whereas, the Legislature finds that 113 separating non-West Virginia natives indicated West Virginia as their destination state, totaling 188; and

Whereas, the Legislature finds that West Virginia’s 188 separating soldiers represented just .3% of the 56,263 separating active duty soldiers in 2019; and

Whereas, the Legislature finds that In 2017, West Virginia ranked 43d in the nation for all separating service members with less than 1%  choosing West Virginia as the state of separation; and

Whereas, the Legislature finds that other states in the United States have vibrant and growing military service member and veteran populations, whose policies, programs and other factors West Virginia should seek to emulate wherever possible; and

Whereas, the Legislature finds that it is important in any effort to improve the lives of veterans in our state, we should endeavor to consider how active service members and their families might be affected; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the declining population of military service veterans in West Virginia, and the policies, programs and other factors present in states with increasing populations of military service members and veterans that could potentially be emulated in West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the study include reporting on all findings concerning the declining population of military service members and veterans in West Virginia, and the policies, programs and other factors present in states with increasing populations of military service members and veterans that could potentially be emulated in West Virginia; and be it

Further Resolved, That all measures considered by the committee include evaluation of how any legislative action taken might improve the lives of not just veterans, but also active military members and their families; and be it

Further Resolved, That the study include all necessary information on the policies, programs and other factors present in states with increasing populations of military service members and veterans that could potentially be emulated in West Virginia by act of the West Virginia Legislature; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance contract with the Center for Veteran, Military and Family Programs at West Virginia University or other appropriate entity, at a cost not to exceed $25,000, to prepare a report to the Legislature; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Legislature, not later than sixty days prior to the first day of the regular session, 2022, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations together with drafts of any legislation to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report, and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.