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Maryland Council of Chapters - MOAA
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Maryland Veterans Trust Fund on Hold

FROM THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Maryland Veterans Trust Fund Notice: Denise...
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Maryland Council of Chapters - MOAA
 

Maryland Veterans Commission

The Maryland Veterans Commission advises the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on all issues relating to veterans and is authorized 30 commissioners.  Twenty nine positions are filled with one remaining as a member at large.  Commissioners are appointed to five-year terms by the Governor and the Governor names the Chair. Maj Jim Shiffrin, USAF (Ret), currently represents the Maryland Council of Chapters on this Commission (through 2027). For more details, click HERE.

Here is a summary of the 16 January 2024 Commission meeting:

Secretary Woods reported the following:

  • The department has secured land in Perry Point (Harford County) adjacent to the existing US VA Medical Center for a third State Veterans Home.
  • Gov Moore is championing three “Military Family Friendly” bills in the 2024 legislature (they have not been introduced yet):
    • One would rename the Depart of Veterans Affairs to the Department of Veterans and Military Families,
    • The Families Serve Act would treat military spouses as a “protected class” for hiring preferences,
    • The Time to Serve Act would grant state employees up to 30 paid days off to perform Reserve or Guard duties, rather than the 15 days they get now.
  • There is also planned legislation to remove the age restriction on the amount of military retirement pay that can be subtracted for state income tax purposes. Currently those of us over age 55 can subtract $20,000 while those under 55 can only subtract $12,500.

Comments from Denise Nowlin, administrator of the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund:

  • She is new to the job – apparently there were a number of issues with the previous manager (the office is a oneperson shop, with some outside help). She is working to make the application process more efficient. Currently veterans must either call or send emails. There is no on-line application form or tracking mechanism.
  • The fund has around $800,000 on hand, gave out $450,000 in grants in 2023, and expects to receive up to $1,000,000 per year when the Income Tax Checkoff is implemented next year.
  • The income limit for getting grants has been raised to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level, making more veterans eligible for grants.

 

The next meeting of the Maryland Veterans’ Commission will be on 16 Apr 2024.

Here are recent minutes from the Commission:

Maryland Council of Chapters - MOAA
Most Recent:


Previous Minutes:
 
Maryland Council of Chapters - MOAA
Maryland Council of Chapters - MOAA
Maryland Council of Chapters - MOAA
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