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HB 5260

Veterans: trust fund; veterans' trust fund act; modify, and remove period of war service requirement. Amends secs. 3b & 4b of 1946 (1st Ex Sess) PA 9 (MCL 35.603b & 35.604b). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5273'25

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kelly Breen and 20 co-sponsors

HB 5260 broadens Michigan Veterans’ Trust Fund governance by widening veteran eligibility for trustees and clarifying appointment/removal processes.

bill electronically reproduced 11/12/2025
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Bill Summary · HB 5260

Summary — HB 5260 (House Introduced Bill)

Title: Amend Michigan Veterans' Trust Fund Act — modify board composition/qualifications and remove period-of-war service requirement (amends MCL 35.603b & 35.604b).
Introduced: March 14, 2025 (Rep. John Fitzgerald).
Status: Introduced; electronically reproduced 11/12/2025.
Tie-bar: Bill does not take effect unless HB 5273 of the 103rd Legislature is enacted.
Companion: SB 404.

Purpose / Intent

HB 5260 updates the Michigan Veterans' Trust Fund Act by revising the statutory creation, membership, appointment process, duties, and administrative details of the Michigan Veterans' Trust Fund board of trustees. The bill’s title also indicates the intent to remove a “period of war service” requirement (i.e., to broaden veteran eligibility where that requirement previously applied).

Key provisions

  • Creates/clarifies the Michigan veterans' trust fund board of trustees and requires that each member be a veteran with demonstrated knowledge, skills, and experience in public service, business, or finance.
  • Specifies composition of the board:
    • One representative each from: American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Disabled American Veterans; and another congressionally chartered veterans’ organization.
    • Three independent members who may be veterans and may belong to congressionally chartered organizations but do not represent any such organization.
  • Appointment and terms:
    • Governor appoints members to 3-year terms and may remove members for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance (missing three or more consecutive meetings is explicitly treated as malfeasance).
    • For the four organization-designated seats, the governor must choose from an original list of at least three nominees provided by each organization.
    • Vacancies must be filled from the same organization and by the same appointment process for the unexpired term.
  • Administration and operations:
    • Department of Technology, Management, and Budget to provide offices.
    • Board may employ assistants and incur necessary expenses; members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary meeting expenses.
    • Confirms the board administers the Michigan veterans' trust fund and restricts use of fund money to what is allowed under the Act and the state constitution (Art. IX, §§37 and 39).
  • Definitions: Refers to the statutory definition of “veteran” in MCL 35.61.

Who is affected

  • Michigan veterans (potentially broadened eligibility if period-of-war service requirements are removed).
  • State veterans’ organizations (roles in nominating nominees and filling specific board seats).
  • Governor’s office (appointment authority).
  • The Michigan Veterans’ Trust Fund governance and its beneficiaries.

Procedural / Timeline notes

  • Filed March 14, 2025; read/referred multiple times (committees include Pensions, Investments & Financial Services and Government Operations).
  • The bill includes an enactment condition: it will not take effect unless HB 5273 is enacted (tie-bar).
  • Companion legislation exists in the Senate (SB 404).

Potential impact

  • Broadens or clarifies trustee eligibility and appointment transparency.
  • If the “period of war service” requirement is removed as indicated, more veterans (including those without wartime service) could be eligible to serve as trustees and potentially be eligible for benefits under the trust fund, depending on how HB 5273 and other statutes are revised.
  • Strengthens organizational nomination roles and provides explicit grounds for removal and vacancy filling, which may improve governance continuity.

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

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