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Panel approves measure to boost county veteran service officer pay and accreditation incentives
Summary
The committee passed a bill that increases state matching support and establishes incentives (including $500 quarterly payments) for county veteran service officers to become accredited by the federal VA and maintain access to its web‑based claims system; sponsors said it will help veterans navigate federal benefits.
Senator Wallace presented a bill to strengthen county veteran service‑officer (VSO) support. Austin Booth (chief of staff/CFO, Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs) testified that Arkansas law currently authorizes a two‑for‑one match to help counties retain a VSO and that the bill would add an incentive structure for VSOs to become federally accredited and maintain proficiency and access to the VA’s web‑based claims processing system.
Booth said the existing match is capped ($3,600 per year or $40,800 for counties with more than 2,500 veterans) and the bill would add additional compensation — described as $500 per quarter, up to $4,000 per year — for accredited county VSOs on top of current assistance. Committee members asked about accreditation requirements (web‑based federal curriculum and training); Booth said about 34 counties currently have accredited officers.
With no public opposition recorded, Senator Rice moved to pass the bill and Senator Flippo seconded. The committee approved the bill by voice vote. Sponsors described the measure as intended to help veterans navigate complex federal VA processes and improve access to benefits.
