Committee advances $500,000 grant program for veteran nonprofits in smaller counties

The Senate Military Affairs and Border Security Committee gave House Bill 2933 a do‑pass recommendation. The bill would appropriate $500,000 from the state general fund in fiscal year 2026 to the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Affairs for competitive grants to nonprofit veterans organizations that assist in securing housing or employment benefits and are located in counties with populations under 500,000.

Sponsor testimony described the grants as intended to support veterans’ re‑entry services, counseling, job‑readiness programs and short‑term housing services in smaller counties across the state. The sponsor identified one facility in Casa Grande that provides up to 30 beds and separate men’s and women’s quarters as an example of a potential grant recipient.

A committee member asked whether the bill’s county threshold (counties with fewer than 500,000 residents) would exclude Pinal County; the sponsor and committee clarified the language would generally exclude only the state’s largest counties (Maricopa and Pima) and include counties under the stated population threshold.

The committee recorded a do‑pass recommendation with a recorded vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays and 1 not voting. There were no public opponents on the record during the committee hearing.

Implementation: The Arizona Department of Veterans’ Affairs would administer competitive grants to nonprofit veterans organizations located in counties with populations under 500,000. The bill exempts the appropriation from lapsing until July 1, 2027, according to testimony.