Section 33-17-20 - Eligibility for bonus--Dependents of deceased veterans.
33-17-20. Eligibility for bonus--Dependents of deceased veterans. A veterans bonus shall be paid to any veteran, or to the dependents of a deceased veteran, if the veteran was a legal resident of the State of South Dakota for at least six months immediately preceding entry into the armed forces of the United States, if the veteran is still in the armed forces or was separated or discharged from the armed forces honorably or under honorable conditions, and if the veteran either:
(1) Served for at least thirty days on active duty in the armed forces of the United States and received or is eligible to receive the armed forces expeditionary medal, Kosovo campaign medal, global war on terrorism expeditionary medal, global war on terrorism service medal, Afghanistan campaign medal, Iraq campaign medal, or southwest Asia service medal or other United States campaign or service medal awarded for participation outside the boundaries of the United States in combat operations against hostile forces for service in the armed forces from January 1, 1993, to a date to be determined by the South Dakota Legislature; or
(2) Served for at least thirty days on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, a portion of which shall have been during the period from September 11, 2001, to a date to be determined by the South Dakota Legislature.
The act of performing military duty in the State of South Dakota at an assigned military station does not in itself constitute residency for bonus purposes. However, a veteran who does not meet the South Dakota residency requirements of this section, but who would otherwise qualify for a bonus pursuant to this section based on service in a unit of the South Dakota National Guard or a South Dakota-based unit of the armed forces reserve, is eligible for the bonus if the veteran is not eligible for a similar benefit from any other state.
Source: SL 1969, ch 173, § 7; SL 1973, ch 219, § 1; SL 1991, ch 268, § 2; SL 1992, ch 238, § 2; SL 1993, ch 243, § 1; SL 2004, ch 225, § 2; SL 2007, ch 187, § 168.