Ohio measure would double county Memorial Day grants for veterans groups

House Bill 297 would increase the maximum county reimbursement for veterans service organizations’ Memorial Day activities from $500 to $1,000, proponents told the House Veterans and Military Development Committee during a second hearing.

"The $500 they get from the county commissioners does not begin to cover the cost of the weekend," said David Root, state legislative chairman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Ohio, during his testimony. Root described parades, grave-flag placements and public memorial programs that VSOs conduct on Memorial Day and said some posts spend thousands of dollars on the weekend.

The bill seeks to raise the per-organization maximum to $1,000, and Root urged an additional amendment to section 307.66 of the Ohio Revised Code to increase a contingency appropriation that reallocates funds when a post is unable to perform commemorations from $100 to $200. "I would suggest that the bill be amended to increase that amount to at least $200," Root said.

Kenneth Mike Zimmerman, adjutant and finance officer for American Legion Post 382 and a member of the VFW and Disabled American Veterans, also testified in support. Zimmerman said posts invest in memorial maintenance and new equipment and that rising costs and aging membership make stable funding important for future observances. "Passage of this bill will ensure funding for future years to come," Zimmerman said.

Committee members acknowledged the local importance of Memorial Day ceremonies but pressed on fiscal effects. Representative Thomas asked whether multiple organizations in a single county could each claim the higher reimbursement; Root said any chartered organization in a county may apply and receive the specified amount, meaning a county with many posts could face significantly higher aggregate obligations. Root described his experience in Lorain County, where eight or nine chartered organizations plus others could mean larger total payouts.

Representative Lambert asked whether organizations face administrative barriers to obtaining the funds. Root said, based on his experience, counties generally notify chartered VSOs, provide application forms, and allow organizations a set period (about 90 days after the event) to submit receipts for reimbursement. "Usually, they supply the form, and... they usually cut a check right away," he said.

No committee vote occurred; the chair closed the record after staff noted written proponent testimony had been submitted. The hearing was recorded as the bill’s second hearing.