South Central PA News

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), convened for its initial meeting of the 2025-26 legislative session. The committee reported five measures aimed at supporting Pennsylvania's veterans.

Mastriano highlighted the significance of these measures, stating, "Pennsylvania has more than 700,000 veterans who have served this country. These measures, taken as a whole, will have a substantial impact on the lives of our veterans."

Senate Bill 129, introduced by Mastriano, seeks to improve oversight of advisory councils at Pennsylvania’s veterans homes. It mandates that council appointments include local veterans and family members of residents and requires staff from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to participate in meetings.

Senate Bill 130 aims to ensure family members of deceased veterans are informed about VA burial benefits through funeral directors and connected with their county director of Veterans Affairs. Mastriano explained that this communication would help families access veteran records and ensure proper honors for the deceased.

Senate Bill 144 proposes a monetary bonus for Global War on Terror veterans. Co-sponsored by Sens. Lisa Baker (R-20) and Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), it offers $1,000 to those who served in theater and $500 to others. Families of soldiers killed in action or missing would receive $5,000.

Senate Bill 146, sponsored by Baker, plans to establish an advisory board for the Veterans’ Trust Fund to identify underserved regions and raise awareness about the fund's resources.

Finally, Senate Bill 173 mirrors the federal Korean American Vietnam Allies Long Overdue for Relief Act (VALOR Act). Sponsored by Pennycuick, it grants Korean Army veterans residing in Pennsylvania similar rights and benefits as American military veterans.

These bills will now proceed to the full Senate for further consideration.