Jacque bill eliminates confusion in existing law for veterans
MADISON, WI… Bi-partisan legislation authored by Senator André Jacque (New Franken) unanimously passed the Senate Committee on Transportation and Local Government today on a vote of 5 to 0.
All 50 states currently offer a military veteran designation that can be printed on state issued drivers licenses or identification cards, including Wisconsin starting in 2013. Driver’s licenses and state issued identification cards are an easy way for individuals to prove their veteran status. However, questions have arisen on the definition of veteran and who qualifies for the veteran designation based on the nature of their military service.
“Over the years, I have spoken with many veterans who have expressed frustration with the lack of clarity on what the qualifications are for obtaining a veteran status designation on a driver’s license, and why their service did not meet current criteria,” said Jacque. “Senate Bill 387 will clear up the existing confusion many of our veterans now experience.”
As amended, for purposes of qualifying as a Veteran Identifier, Senate Bill 387 will now define veteran as “a former member of the U.S. armed forces who received a discharge under honorable conditions, or a former member of a reserve unit of the U.S. armed forces or the national guard who met the requirements for satisfactory completion of his or her initial term of obligated service and received a discharge of either honorable or under honorable conditions.”
“As we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day, we honor and recognize all those who have answered the call of service and have given so much of themselves in defense of America, regardless of whether they served in active duty, in the Reserve, or in the National Guard,” said Jacque.
Senate Bill 387 now goes to the full Assembly for a vote, and must pass both legislative chambers before moving to the governor’s desk for a signature.
Senator André Jacque represents Northeast Wisconsin’s First Senate District, consisting of Door, Kewaunee and Calumet Counties and portions of Brown, Manitowoc, and Outagamie counties.
