WEST virginia legislature

2021 regular session

Committee Substitute

for

House Concurrent Resolution 84

By Delegates Cooper and Fleischauer

[Originating in the House Committee on Rules ]

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 technical skills from their military careers; they also bring leadership and human resources skills that most employers are unwilling to or cannot train, often have in-demand security clearances, are flexible, adaptable, and highly trainable, and are entrepreneurs with approximately 13,000 veteran-owned businesses currently open in West Virginia; and

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

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

Whereas, The Legislature finds that the VA’s estimated West Virginia rate of decline is higher than the national rate of decline of 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 both the VA and BLS indicate that approximately 50% of West Virginia veterans are  over 65 years old; and

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

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

Whereas, The Legislature finds that in 2019, of the 339 active duty members of the U.S. Army who had entered service from West Virginia, only 75 of the 339 (22%) indicated they would be returning to West Virginia after separating from service; and

Whereas, The Legislature finds that in 2019, only 113 separating non-West Virginia natives indicated West Virginia as their destination state upon completion of their service (totaling 188 combined with returning West Virginia natives); 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 43^rd 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, with policies, programs and other factors West Virginia should seek to emulate wherever possible; and

Whereas, The Legislature finds that it is vital to make every effort to improve the lives of veterans in our state, we must endeavor to consider how active service members and their families may be affected; therefore, be it        

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the causes for and trends in the declining population of military service veterans in West Virginia; and be it

Further Resolved, That the study include an evaluation of states which have had greater success in attracting and retaining military service members, veterans, and their families, along with any differing factors in other states, or particular measures that were taken, which contributed to those results; and be it

Further Resolved, That all measures considered by the committee include the evaluation of how any legislative action taken may improve the lives of not just veterans and their families, 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 any other appropriate entity; and, be it

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

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

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