Schow said there is also a reluctance to seek VA benefits for some veterans who equate asking the government for financial help with going on welfare. "And they don't like that stigma," he said.

Other bills that could impact veterans include, HB463, which makes it a crime when a person falsely represents getting a military-related award. Schow said people have been known to lie about getting a service medal to make themselves look better when applying for a job somewhere. If caught, the crime carries with it a class C misdemeanor charge.

Finally, HB309 creates a waiver of undergraduate tuition at state colleges and universities for surviving dependents of Utah (resident) military members killed while on federal active duty. At a cost to the state of about $5,200 per student, it's estimated there are about 40 dependents who could currently take advantage of the benefit.

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E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com