Bill
HB 5265
Establishes a statewide grant program to help eligible veterans obtain a service animal by offsetting acquisition costs, funded by a new treasurer-managed Fund.
Status (as shown in document)
- Introduced by Rep. Joey Andrews (with multiple cosponsors). Bill electronically reproduced 11/12/2025. Companion bill: SB 1701.
- Legislative docket entries in the provided file show multiple committee referrals and floor actions in 2025 (see full record); the bill is referred to the House Committee on Government Operations on 11/12/2025.
Purpose
- Establish a statewide grant program to help veterans obtain service animals by offsetting the cost of acquiring a service animal.
Key provisions
- Creates the "veterans service animal grant program" (the Program) administered by the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (the Department).
- Establishes the "veterans service animal fund" (the Fund) in the state treasury to receive money and assets from any source; the state treasurer will invest Fund money and credit earnings to the Fund.
- Directs the Department to:
- Administer the Program;
- Create an application form and timetable;
- Award grants to eligible veterans; and
- Administer audits of the Fund.
- Limits Fund expenditures to amounts appropriated by the Legislature and only for (a) awarding grants and (b) administering the Program.
- Allows the Department to promulgate implementing rules under the Administrative Procedures Act (1969 PA 306). Rules may set additional eligibility standards.
Eligibility (statutory)
- A veteran is eligible only if all of the following apply:
- Diagnosed with post‑traumatic stress attributable to military service;
- Has been matched with a service animal by a nonprofit organization that is tax‑exempt under IRC §501(c)(3);
- Meets any additional Department eligibility standards adopted by rule.
- "Service animal" is defined by citation to 28 C.F.R. §36.104. "Veteran" is defined by reference to section 1 of 1965 PA 190 (MCL 35.61).
Who is affected
- Primary beneficiaries: veterans with service‑connected post‑traumatic stress who are matched with service animals through qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits.
- State entities: Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (administrator), State Treasurer (fund custody/investment), and the Legislature (appropriations).
- Nonprofit service‑animal providers may see increased demand or coordination with the Program.
Funding & implementation
- Grants and administrative costs are paid only from the Fund and only as appropriated by the Legislature. The Fund may accept public or private contributions.
- Department must establish application procedures and may adopt rules; actual grant awards depend on available appropriations and administrative rulemaking.
Potential impact
- Lowers financial barriers for eligible veterans to obtain service animals, subject to available funding and rulemaking.
- Program scope is limited to veterans with PTSD and to animals provided via qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations.
- Fiscal impact depends on legislative appropriations to the newly created Fund; administrative workload increases for the Department.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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