Legislative

Legion to Public: Our Turn to Rescue Coast Guard!

"There are currently 41,000 Coast Guard service members that have went without pay since January 1 due to the government shutdown," said Indiana Legion Cmdr. Rodney Strong. "This is completely unacceptable and our veterans community needs to act now!"

Take action now on behalf of our Coast Guard members. Demand the 116th Congress to immediately pass and the president sign a clean version of the Pay Our Coast Guard Act, HR 367.

Take Action!

Legion awards $700,000 in grants to Coast Guard members, Shutdown

The American Legion has already awarded almost $700,000 in non-repayable grants to junior ranking Coast Guard families in need. There are hundreds of additional requests already in the pipeline which The American Legion is trying to grant, but we have a very limited budget. So any amount that you can give would be most appreciated.

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Current Issues Hoosier Veterans Face

The American Legion, Department of Indiana legislative team and representatives work closely with our Indiana General Assembly to help shape bills and support legislation that we believe will improve the lives of our Hoosier veterans.

The Indiana Legion also partners with three of the other largest Congressionally chartered Veterans Service Organizations in the state, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and American Veterans, respectively.

This helps our voice be heard at the Indiana General Assembly and shows solidarity on the issues among all the organizations.

See below for our current Legislative Agenda.

2019 Indiana Legislative Agenda

VETERANS INTERESTS

Return to post-2011 tuition and fee exemption for children of disabled veterans
Expand Veterans Treatment Courts and capabilities
Increase Funding for County Veteran Service Officers
Extend homeless and hyperbaric oxygen therapy programs beyond 2019
Lottery revenue to fund state veteran programs
Charity gaming modifications and enhancements
Veteran lD/Driver License info for state inter-agency use
Medical Cannabis research support increased growth, and overall rescheduling
Do not include earned disabled veteran benefits when determining state need-based financial assistance
Support Military Justice improvements

TAX ENHANCEMENTS

Raise Excise Tax credit for disabled veterans who do not own "Real" property
Renter Credit for Disabled Veterans who would otherwise qualify for property tax break
Include veterans receiving IU (Individual Unemployability) in property tax credit at the 100% rate.
Increase income tax exemption on military pay
Tax credit for landlords assisting homeless veterans in active programs
Include spouses of KIA for property tax exemptions in Indiana

2018-2019 State Legislative Priorities Resolution

News conference took place on 10/10/17 at the American Legion National Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. American Legion National Cmdr. Denise Rohan and U.S. Sen Todd Young Discuss the American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act (H.R. 2519)

The American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act

This Act, passed on September 25th, will honor the Legion for its 100 years of service by directing the U.S. Mint to issue a variety of special limited edition commemorative coins available for purchase during 2019. Congress only authorizes two coins per year. That kind of support for the legislation, which was signed into law Oct. 6 by President Donald Trump, is proof of the respect members of Congress have for the Legion.