An Act To Establish a Welcome Home Bonus for Veterans of the Campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1037
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Sponsors: ROTUNDO, SAVIELLO, CAREY, LAJOIE, MORISSETTE, PICCHIOTTI, VALENTINO, CRAVEN, RECTOR
Amends: 37-B MRSA §513

Legislative Document 
No. 1037 
H.P. 771 
House of Representatives, March 10, 2011 
An Act To Establish a Welcome Home Bonus for Veterans of the 
Campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan 
Reference to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs suggested and ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative ROTUNDO of Lewiston. 
Cosponsored by Senator SAVIELLO of Franklin and 
Representatives: CAREY of Lewiston, CORNELL du HOUX of Brunswick, LAJOIE of 
Lewiston, MORISSETTE of Winslow, PICCHIOTTI of Fairfield, VALENTINO of Saco, 
Senators: CRAVEN of Androscoggin, RECTOR of Knox. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  37-B MRSA §513 is enacted to read: 
§513.  Bonus for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan 
1.  Veterans' bonus established.  A veteran of the Armed Forces of the United 
States is eligible to receive a bonus under this section from the bureau if the veteran 
meets the following criteria: 
A.  The veteran served in the Armed Forces of the United States on or after 
September 11, 2001; 
B.  The veteran was domiciled in the State for at least 6 months immediately prior to 
entering the Armed Forces of the United States; 
C.  The veteran was honorably discharged; and 
D.  The veteran's service in the Armed Forces of the United States was prior to the 
official cessation of hostilities in Iraq and Afghanistan as declared by the Federal 
Government. 
2.  Amount of bonus.  Upon application and providing proof of domicile under 
subsection 1, paragraph B to the bureau, a veteran eligible under subsection 1 is entitled 
to receive $1,000 for the veteran's first deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan after 
September 11, 2001 and $500 for each subsequent deployment.  An eligible veteran who 
did not serve on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan subsequent to September 11, 2001 but 
served at least 6 months' active service subsequent to September 11, 2001 is entitled to 
receive $500.  For purposes of this subsection, "active service" does not include active 
duty for training in the Army or Air National Guard or active duty for training as a 
reservist in the Armed Forces of the United States. 
3.  Next of kin.  The next of kin of a service member killed in action who otherwise 
would be eligible under subsection 1 is entitled to receive the bonus to which the service 
member would be entitled under subsection 2.  A next of kin entitled to receive a bonus 
under this subsection must provide proof of relationship and proof of the service 
member's eligibility under subsection 1 to the bureau.  For purposes of this subsection, 
"next of kin" has the same meaning as in Title 22, section 2843-A, subsection 1, 
paragraph D. 
4.  Rules.  The bureau may adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this section.  
Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, 
chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
SUMMARY 
This bill provides to a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who served in Iraq 
or Afghanistan subsequent to September 11, 2001 a bonus of $1,000 for the veteran’s first 
deployment and $500 for every subsequent deployment and to a veteran of the United 
States Armed Forces who served at least 6 months' active duty subsequent to September 
11, 2001 but did not serve in Iraq or Afghanistan a bonus of $500.  In order to receive the 
bonus, the veteran must have been domiciled in the State for at least 6 months 
immediately prior to entering the Armed Forces, be honorably discharged and apply and 
provide proof of domicile to the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency 
Management, Bureau of Maine Veterans’ Services. The next of kin of a service member 
who is killed in action receives the bonus to which the service member would have been 
entitled.  The bonus will not be available to a service member who serves after the 
cessation of hostilities in Iraq and Afghanistan.