Section 26. Military service bonus

Military service bonus

The state shall borrow not to exceed $80,000,000.00, pledge its faith and credit and issue its serial notes or serial bonds therefor, with maturities of not to exceed $1,000,000.00 in each of the years 1956 and 1965, both inclusive, and $13,000,000.00 in each of the years 1966 to 1968, both inclusive, and $14,000,000.00 in each of the years thereafter, for the purpose of paying to each person, or if deceased to the surviving husband or wife, child or children, or to the surviving mother, father, person standing in loco parentis, brothers and sisters, in the order named, of any person who served in the military, naval, marine or coast guard forces of the United States, including women serving in auxiliary branches thereof, between June 27, 1950, and December 31, 1953, who served honorably and faithfully therein during said period, who was a resident of this state at the time of entering such service and for a period of at least 6 months prior to entering therein, and whose service continued for more than 60 days during said period, the sum of $10.00 for each month, or major fraction thereof, of service during said period in any state of the United States, and the District of Columbia, and the sum of $15.00 for each month, or major fraction thereof, of service during said period outside any state of the United States, and the District of Columbia, but not to exceed a total payment of $500.00 to any one person: Provided, That there shall be paid to the surviving husband or wife, child or children, or to the surviving dependent mother, father, person standing in loco parentis, brothers and sisters, in the order named, of each person who has heretofore died or who shall hereafter die from service connected causes incurred between June 27, 1950, and December 31, 1953, a sum equal to the difference between what he has received and the sum of $500.00: Provided further, That no payment shall be made under the provisions of this section in any case in which payment has been made or shall hereafter be made under the provisions of section 25 of this article, payment both under the provisions of this section and section 25 of this article being expressly prohibited.

The state administrative board is authorized and directed to provide by resolution from time to time for the issuance and sale of serial notes or serial bonds at the lowest possible cost, and the legislature is authorized to provide for the method of and eligibility for payment of the sums herein directed. For the retirement of such notes and bonds as shall be issued hereunder, there is appropriated from the general fund each year during their life a sum equal to the amount of principal and interest payments due and payable in each such year. The powers and duties conferred by this amendment on the state administrative board are self-executing.