H.B. 313 Enrolled

             1     

VETERANS' AND MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMISSION

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Tim M. Cosgrove

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Todd Weiler

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill creates a legislative commission to address veterans' and military affairs
             10      issues.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    creates a legislative commission and limits its composition to not more than 23
             14      members;
             15          .    requires the commission to study policy issues related to servicemembers, veterans,
             16      and their dependents;
             17          .    further requires the commission to study the impact of military facilities on Utah
             18      and how to maximize the benefits of those facilities for veterans and the state;
             19          .    requires the commission to report to the Government Operations Interim
             20      Committee; and
             21          .    provides a sunset date.
             22      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             23          This bill appropriates in the fiscal year 2014-15:
             24          .    To the Senate, as an ongoing appropriation:
             25              .    from the General Fund, $7,000, to pay for the Veterans' and Military Affairs
             26      Commission.
             27          .    To the House of Representatives, as an ongoing appropriation:
             28              .    from the General Fund, $10,000, to pay for the Veterans' and Military Affairs
             29      Commission.


             30      Other Special Clauses:
             31          None
             32      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             33      AMENDS:
             34           63I-2-236 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 283
             35      ENACTS:
             36           36-28-101 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             37           36-28-102 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             38           36-28-103 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             39           36-28-104 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             40     
             41      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             42          Section 1. Section 36-28-101 is enacted to read:
             43     
CHAPTER 28. VETERANS' AND MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMISSION

             44          36-28-101. Title.
             45          This chapter is known as the "Veterans' and Military Affairs Commission."
             46          Section 2. Section 36-28-102 is enacted to read:
             47          36-28-102. Veterans' and Military Affairs Commission -- Creation -- Membership
             48      -- Chairs -- Terms -- Per diem and expenses.
             49          (1) There is created the Veterans' and Military Affairs Commission.
             50          (2) The commission membership is composed of 19 permanent members, but may not
             51      exceed 23 members, and is as follows:
             52          (a) five legislative members to be appointed as follows:
             53          (i) three members from the House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker of the
             54      House of Representatives, no more than two of whom may be from the same political party;
             55      and
             56          (ii) two members from the Senate, appointed by the president of the Senate, no more
             57      than one of whom may be from the same political party;


             58          (b) the executive director of the Department of Veterans' and Military Affairs or the
             59      director's designee;
             60          (c) the chair of the Utah Veterans' Advisory Council;
             61          (d) the executive director of the Department of Workforce Services or the director's
             62      designee;
             63          (e) the executive director of the Department of Health or the director's designee;
             64          (f) the executive director of the Department of Human Services or the director's
             65      designee;
             66          (g) a representative from the Administrative Office of the Courts who is
             67      knowledgeable in court services appointed by the Judicial Council;
             68          (h) a representative from the Utah National Guard appointed by the adjutant general;
             69          (i) Guard and Reserve Transition Assistance Advisor; and
             70          (j) a representative from the Board of Regents;
             71          (k) three representatives of veteran service organizations as recommended by the
             72      Veterans Advisory Council;
             73          (l) one representative from the Utah Defense Alliance; and
             74          (m) one military affairs representative from a chamber of commerce recommended by
             75      the Utah State Chamber of Commerce.
             76          (3) The commission may appoint by majority vote of the entire commission up to four
             77      representatives of state and local government agencies or interest groups the commission feels
             78      necessary to complete its duties.
             79          (4) (a) The president of the Senate shall designate a member of the Senate appointed
             80      under Subsection (2)(a) as a cochair of the commission.
             81          (b) The speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate a member of the House
             82      of Representatives appointed under Subsection (2)(a) as a cochair of the commission.
             83          (5) A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. The
             84      action of a majority of a quorum constitutes the action of the commission.
             85          (6) The term for each commission member appointed in accordance with Subsection


             86      (3) shall be two years from the date of appointment. A member may not serve more than three
             87      terms.
             88          (7) If a member leaves office or is unable to serve, the vacancy shall be filled as it was
             89      originally appointed. A person appointed to fill a vacancy under this section does not serve the
             90      remaining unexpired term of the member being replaced but begins serving a new term.
             91          (8) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service but
             92      may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:
             93          (a) Section 63A-3-106 ;
             94          (b) Section 63A-3-107 ; and
             95          (c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and
             96      63A-3-107 .
             97          Section 3. Section 36-28-103 is enacted to read:
             98          36-28-103. Duties.
             99          The commission shall:
             100          (1) comply with the rules of legislative interim committees;
             101          (2) study and make recommendations to the Legislature on the following issues as they
             102      impact active duty servicemembers, veterans, and their dependents:
             103          (a) reintegration from military to civilian status;
             104          (b) employment;
             105          (c) finances;
             106          (d) education;
             107          (e) health and mental health, including suicide prevention;
             108          (f) military affairs, including the impact of military bases; and
             109          (g) coordination of state and local government resources to assist active duty
             110      servicemembers, veterans, and their dependents; and
             111          (3) consider the unique role of the Utah National Guard and its servicemembers in
             112      regard to the issues in Subsection (2).
             113          Section 4. Section 36-28-104 is enacted to read:


             114          36-28-104. Staff support.
             115          The Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel shall staff the commission.
             116          Section 5. Section 63I-2-236 is amended to read:
             117           63I-2-236. Repeal dates -- Title 36.
             118          (1) Section 36-12-15.1 is repealed July 1, 2015.
             119          (2) Sections 36-16a-101 through 36-16a-108 are repealed January 1, 2013.
             120          (3) Sections 36-28-101 through 36-28-104 are repealed July 1, 2019.
             121          Section 6. Appropriation.
             122          Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, for
             123      the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014, and ending June 30, 2015, the following sums of money
             124      are appropriated from resources not otherwise appropriated, or reduced from amounts
             125      previously appropriated, out of the funds or accounts indicated. These sums of money are in
             126      addition to any amounts previously appropriated for fiscal year 2015.
             127          To Legislature - Senate
             128              From General Fund, Ongoing
$7,000

             129              Schedule of Programs:
             130                  Administration                    $7,000
             131          To Legislature - House of Representatives
             132              From General Fund, Ongoing
$10,000

             133              Schedule of Programs:
             134                  Administration                    $10,000


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