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research and providing state-of-the-art care for individuals with brain injuries, particularly through its
research programs and collaborations, like with Georgia Tech. Their mTBI Brain Health and Recovery Lab
specifically focuses on improving the brain health and
recovery of civilians, military veterans, and service
members with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
Ensuring veterans’ economic and employment
security has also been a national priority. Legislation expanding Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) services under the proposed Veterans
Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act
includes clearer eligibility guidelines and consistent
counselor training granting veterans access to meaningful vocational support.
Another piece of federal legislation, the Major Richard Star Act, addresses a longstanding inequity affecting thousands of Georgians. It would enable veterans
retired due to combat-related injuries with less than
20 years of service to receive both full Department of
Defense retirement pay and VA disability compensation concurrently (both tax free entitlements). Concurrent receipt for Georgia’s severely combat wounded is
currently denied under existing law for those with less
than 20 years of service, unless they receive CRSC. The
measure, which if enacted, would repeal this unjust
“Wounded Warrior Tax” and immediately improve
the economic security of one of the most particularly
deserving classes of veterans, aligning closely with the
Supreme Court’s ruling in Soto.
President Trump also signed the VA Home Loan
Program Reform Act granting desperate relief to
veteran families who have fallen behind on their
mortgages. The new law, which passed unanimously
in the U.S. House and Senate, is a parcel to a broader
effort to eradicate veteran homelessness.
The 2026 State Legislative Agenda
Georgia is also primed to address veterans housing and employment issues thanks to the Senate
Veterans’ Mental Health and Housing Committee, led
by Chairman Chuck Payne, R-Dalton. He released a
comprehensive report identifying critical legislative
priorities to better serve veterans ahead of the 2026
session. These recommendations, informed by extensive expert testimony, stakeholder engagement
and community input, target critical areas needing
immediate attention: Enhancing Employment and
Economic Stability, Housing and Financial Security,
Mental Health and Healthcare Accessibility, Support
for Transitioning Veterans, and Community Integration and Social Support.
Notably, Georgia lawmakers should streamline
pathways for veterans transitioning into civilian
employment, especially prioritizing job placements
within public safety organizations and offering
waivers for application fees at state universities.
Moreover, creating a statewide system that identifies and promotes “veteran-friendly” and “military
spouse-friendly” employers would not only strengthen veteran opportunities, but it would also enhance
Georgia’s reputation for being a destination state
for military workforce potential. Creating focused
childcare initiatives to support dual working veteran couples would ease the tension with balancing
career and family goals as well.
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