Purpose: This proposed amendment would authorize the state to issue up to two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) of bonds to provide compensation to Ohio veterans of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq conflicts, and to pay for the administration of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts Compensation Bond Retirement Fund and the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts Compensation Fund.

Authorize the Ohio Department of Veterans Services to provide compensation to persons who have served in active duty in the United States armed forces at any time during the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq conflicts and who were Ohio residents at the start of active duty services and are currently Ohio residents. The state would provide stipends of $100 a month up to a total of $1 ,000 for Ohio veterans who served in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts. Furthermore, the state would provide stipends of $50 a month up to a total of $500 for Ohio veterans who served elsewhere during the conflicts. In addition, the family members of qualified deceased Ohio veterans could apply for a $5,000 death benefit.

Allow certain survivors to receive the same compensation as the person who served in the armed forces would have received, if that person dies or is designated as missing in action or held in enemy captivity. Authorize the state to issue bonds only for the time period from the effective date of this amendment until December 31, 2013.

If approved, this amendment would take effect immediately.