Urges Congress to support the Major Richard Star Act to allow all medically retired service members to receive full access to their retirement pay and benefits

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tony Harbison

Missouri urges Congress to support legislation that allows medically retired service members to receive full military retirement pay without offset for VA disability benefits.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

#militaryaffairs #veterans

Bill Summary: HCR 34 (2026) – Urges Congress to Support the Major Richard Star Act

Purpose and intent

HCR 34 is a concurrent resolution in the Missouri House of Representatives urging the United States Congress to support federal legislation known as the Major Richard Star Act.

The core aim of the act is to allow all medically retired service members to receive full access to their retirement pay and benefits, addressing gaps in concurrent receipt for veterans who are medically retired.

Key provisions and changes proposed

The resolution itself does not enact new Missouri law or allocate state funds. Instead, it expresses the Missouri General Assembly’s official position and request to the federal government.

Specifically, HCR 34 calls on Congress to support federal reform that would:

Permit medically retired service members to receive their full military retirement pay without offset for VA disability compensation.
Ensure that veterans who are medically retired can access the entirety of their earned retirement benefits and related entitlements.

The resolution aligns Missouri’s stance with federal legislative efforts embodied by the Major Richard Star Act, which seeks to modify concurrent receipt policy at the federal level.

Who/what would be affected

Indirectly affected: Medically retired service members and veterans who receive both military retirement pay and VA disability compensation, as the Major Richard Star Act aims to change how those benefits interact.

Directly affected by this resolution: The Missouri General Assembly and, more broadly, federal lawmakers who would consider and potentially enact the Major Richard Star Act.

No immediate state budget or Missouri program changes are mandated by this resolution; its effect is to signal support and encourage federal action.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and first reading: January 15, 2026.

Second reading: January 20, 2026.

Referral: May be considered by the Emerging Issues committee (listed as Emerging Issues(H)) as part of its process.

Sponsor: Co-sponsored by Tony Harbison, indicating legislative backing within the Missouri House.

As a concurrent resolution, passage requires majority approval in both chambers and typically does not require a signature by the governor unless paired with companion legislation or used to direct state actions; its impact is primarily symbolic and persuasive at the federal level.

Impact and implications

If Missouri’s legislature successfully passes HCR 34, it would formally advocate to Congress to advance the Major Richard Star Act, signaling statewide support for removing the offset between military retirement pay and VA disability benefits.

A successful resolution could help maintain momentum for federal reform, potentially increasing pressure on federal lawmakers to address concurrent receipt issues for medically retired service members.

The resolution does not change Missouri law or finance within the state and relies on federal legislative action to achieve substantive benefits for affected veterans.