HB1087: HB1087 Disabled Veteran Home Modification Act; enact

26 LC 46 1363 House Bill 1087 By: Representatives Bonner of the 73rd, Hitchens of the 161st, O’Steen of the 169th, Prince of the 132nd, Donatucci of the 105th, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 80 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 general provisions regarding provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations,2 so as to prohibit counties, municipal corporations, and other g overnmental entities from3 charging disabled veterans certain fees related to residential improvements to be made to4 accommodate such veteran's disability status; to provide a definition; to provide for a short5 title; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting6 laws; and for other purposes.7 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:8 SECTION 1.9 This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Disabled Veter an Home Modification10 Act." 11 H. B. 1087 - 1 - 26 LC 46 1363 SECTION 2.12 The General Assembly finds that:13 (1) Disabled veterans in this state are being charged building fees, including permit fees,14 plan review fees, plan examination fees, inspection fees, or ot her fees when any such15 veteran needs to have modifications made to his or her home in order to accommodate the16 veteran's disability;17 (2) Such fees can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, adding a financial burden18 for disabled veterans looking to make their homes more accessible;19 (3) Legislation is needed to provide that a veteran with a dis ability shall not be charged20 any fees for improvements to the residence of such veteran if the improvements are needed21 to accommodate the veteran's disability; and22 (4) Legislation is needed to help ensure that disabled veterans can live comfortably in their23 homes and are successfully reintegrated into their communities following their military24 service.25 SECTION 3. 26 Chapter 80 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotate d, relating to general27 provisions regarding provisions applicable to counties and muni cipal corporations, is28 amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:29 "36-80-32.30 (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'disabled veteran' shall have the same meaning31 as set forth in Code Section 48-5-48.32 (b) Any disabled veteran may apply to the commissioner of vete rans service for33 certification as a disabled veteran as provided by subsection (a) of this Code section. The34 commissioner of veterans service is authorized and directed to certify such applicants as35 disabled veterans and to issue to such applicants such proof of certification as the36 commissioner of veterans service finds appropriate. The commissioner of veterans service37 H. B. 1087 - 2 - 26 LC 46 1363 may require by rule or regulation such documentation as may be necessary to certify38 disabled veterans as provided in this subsection.39 (c) Any disabled veteran who is certified by the commissioner of veterans service as40 provided in subsection (b) of this Code section shall not be ch arged any building fees,41 including permit fees, plan review or plan examination fees, inspection fees, reinspection42 fees, or other fees required in order to make improvements to t he residence of such43 disabled veteran if such improvements are required to accommoda te the veteran's44 disability.45 (d) Nothing in this Code sec tion changes the obligation of any person to submit an46 application, form, or other documentation required by a county, municipal corporation, or47 other governmental entity. A disabled veteran shall submit certification of such veteran's48 disability status as required by subsection (b) of this Code se ction along with any49 documentation as required by the commissioner of veterans service."50 SECTION 4.51 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.52 H. B. 1087 - 3 -