Bill protecting unclaimed military medals passes House 153-0

HB 1745 prevents the selling or auctioning of unclaimed veterans medals

The Missouri House gave unanimous support today to a bill that will ensure the protection of unclaimed military medals in Missouri. HB 1745 is known as the Veterans Medals Bill and was developed by State Treasurer Clint Zweifel (ZWY-ful). The bill ensures veterans’ medals held by Unclaimed Property in Treasurer Zweifel’s office will never be auctioned or sold. Treasurer Zweifel established the administrative policy that lead to HB 1745 upon taking office.



“I applaud the House and thank Rep. Day for his sponsorship of this measure that recognizes the significant meaning military medals hold for recipients and heirs,” Treasurer Zweifel said. “Servicemen and women deserve to know we will ensure their medals are safe under all circumstance once they enter Unclaimed Property, no matter who is State Treasurer.”



There are currently 94 military medals in Unclaimed Property. The Veterans’ Medals Bill also allows Treasurer Zweifel to appoint a custodian of the military medals until the owner or beneficiary can be located. This provision grants Treasurer Zweifel the opportunity to share the medals with veterans’ organizations. Rep. David Day (R-Dixon) is the sponsor of the House legislation. The Missouri Association of Veterans Organizations, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars support HB 1745.



“I am confident we will be able to preserve these medals honoring the sacrifice of Missouri’s veterans,” Treasurer Zweifel said. “I look forward to the Senate’s debate.”



Treasurer Zweifel’s office also operates Operation Extra Mile, a partnership with the Missouri Veterans Commission, to match its database with the Unclaimed Property database to determine if service members, veterans or their families have Unclaimed Property.



Sen. Frank Barnitz (D-Lake Spring) is sponsoring SB 846, the companion legislation HB 1745. The Senate version was referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Pensions, and Urban Affairs. The bill has not been heard in committee.



About Treasurer Zweifel’s Unclaimed Property

State law requires financial institutions, insurance companies, public agencies and other business entities to turn over assets to Treasurer Zweifel’s office that belong to a customer, client, employee or other owner if there have been no documented transactions or contact with the owner for five or more years. Most Unclaimed Property consists of cash from bank accounts, stocks, bonds and contents of safe deposit boxes that have been abandoned. It also can include uncollected insurance policy proceeds, government refunds, utility deposits and wages from past jobs. Treasurer Zweifel’s office does not handle real property such as land, houses, cars and boats. There is $600 million in Unclaimed Property maintained by Treasurer Zweifel. Treasurer Zweifel’s office never charges for the return of Unclaimed Property.

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