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SR 285

A RESOLUTION recognizing the filing of the Major Richard Star Act, a bill exploring an opportunity for veterans with disabilities to receive their full United States Department of Defense retirement pay and United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation without offset.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Aaron Reed

The Major Richard Star Act would allow eligible veterans to receive full DoD retirement pay and full VA disability compensation concurrently, removing the offset.

adopted by voice vote
#disabilities #federallawsandregulations #militaryaffairsandcivildefense #retirementandpensions #shorttitlesandpopularnames #unitedstates #veterans
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SR 285

Summary of SR 285 (2026RS) – Kentucky Senate

Title

A Resolution recognizing the filing of the Major Richard Star Act, a bill exploring an opportunity for veterans with disabilities to receive their full United States Department of Defense retirement pay and United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation without offset.

Purpose and intent

  • Acknowledges and supports federal legislation known as the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102, S. 1032) that would amend federal law to allow concurrent receipt of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) retirement pay and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation without any offset.
  • Serves as a formal statement of Kentucky’s recognition of the issue and the ongoing congressional effort to address the concurrent receipt gap for veterans with disabilities.

Key provisions and changes (as described in the resolution)

  • The resolution notes that currently federal law requires a dollar-for-dollar offset between VA disability compensation and DoD retirement pay for veterans who were medically retired with fewer than 20 years of service.
  • The Major Richard Star Act would:
    • Allow eligible veterans to receive both full DoD retirement pay and full VA disability compensation concurrently.
    • Eliminate the offset that reduces overall benefits for affected veterans.
  • The resolution highlights the scope and expected impact of the offset:
    • Approximately 50,000 veterans with disabilities are affected nationally by the offset (with 2022 CBO estimates cited in the resolution).
    • The average annual loss due to the offset is about $1,900 per month in benefits (note: the text cites average monthly loss based on 2022 estimates).
  • The bill has bipartisan sponsorship in the 119th Congress and has received broad support from veteran-service organizations and advocacy groups.

Who is affected

  • Veterans who were medically retired with disabilities and receive both DoD retirement pay and VA disability compensation (under current law with the offset).
  • The resolution notes Kentucky’s sizable veteran population (about 285,000) and the presence of many veterans with disabilities who would be directly affected by changes to the offset policy.
  • Veterans organizations (e.g., Wounded Warrior Project, American Legion, AMVETS) have endorsed the Major Richard Star Act, signaling broad advocacy and stakeholder interest.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • This is a Senate resolution recognizing the filing of the Major Richard Star Act in the U.S. Congress.
  • Action history in Kentucky:
    • Introduced in the Senate on April 1, 2026.
    • Referred to the Committee on Committees (S).
    • On April 14, 2026, advanced to the Senate floor and adopted by voice vote.
  • The resolution directs the Clerk of the Senate to transmit copies of the resolution to federal leadership and Kentucky’s congressional delegation, as well as sponsors and co-sponsors of the resolution.

Notable details

  • Co-sponsor of SR 285: Aaron Reed.
  • The resolution emphasizes the moral and policy rationale for ensuring veterans receive the full benefits earned through service, regardless of service length, and frames the Major Richard Star Act as the mechanism to remove the offset.

This summary encapsulates the resolution’s recognition of the Major Richard Star Act, its intended effect on concurrent receipt for veterans, the affected population, supporting groups, and relevant procedural steps within Kentucky’s Senate.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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