Committee backs bill to let county clerks retain military discharge papers, adds grandchildren access

Representative Miller told the committee that Senate Bill 2026 would allow county clerks to keep military discharge papers and expand who may access them to include grandchildren.

The bill, Representative Miller said, is voluntary: "this allows County clerks across our state to keep military discharge papers," and a service member would have to opt in to the arrangement. He said the change would "expand this out to the grandkids" because grandchildren often help survivors navigate benefits and burial matters.

Representative Banning asked who could check out the records from the clerk. Representative Miller replied that under current practice access is limited to a spouse, children, and parents of the deceased and that the bill adds grandchildren to that list. He emphasized the veteran would need to opt in and would know who could access the records after the veteran’s death.

Representative Miller moved for adoption of the bill. The clerk opened the roll for a vote; the committee reported Senate Bill 2026 as do pass out of committee by a vote of 8 yea, 0 nay.

The committee did not record further debate. The bill now proceeds as a committee-reported measure.