H.B. 313
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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
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41 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
42 Section 1. Section 36-28-101 is enacted to read:
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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 16 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;
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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) the director of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing or the
67 director's designee;
68 (h) a representative from the Administrative Office of the Courts who is
69 knowledgeable in court services appointed by the Judicial Council;
70 (i) a representative from the Utah National Guard appointed by the adjutant general;
71 (j) the Employment Services for Guard and Reserve Transition Assistance Advisor;
72 (k) a representative from the Board of Regents; and
73 (l) a representative from an association of local governments appointed jointly by the
74 speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the Senate.
75 (3) The commission may appoint by majority vote of the entire commission up to
76 seven additional representatives the commission considers necessary to complete its duties,
77 including:
78 (a) one representative from the Utah military industry;
79 (b) one military affairs representative from a chamber of commerce; and
80 (c) five representatives of state and local government agencies, veterans' organizations,
81 or interest groups.
82 (4) (a) The president of the Senate shall designate a member of the Senate appointed
83 under Subsection (2)(a) as a cochair of the commission.
84 (b) The speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate a member of the House
85 of Representatives appointed under Subsection (2)(a) as a cochair of the commission.
86 (5) A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. The
87 action of a majority of a quorum constitutes the action of the commission.
88 (6) The term for each commission member appointed in accordance with Subsection
89 (3) shall be two years from the date of appointment. A member may not serve more than three
90 terms.
91 (7) If a member leaves office or is unable to serve, the vacancy shall be filled as it was
92 originally appointed. A person appointed to fill a vacancy under this section does not serve the
93 remaining unexpired term of the member being replaced but begins serving a new term.
94 (8) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service but
95 may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:
96 (a) Section 63A-3-106 ;
97 (b) Section 63A-3-107 ; and
98 (c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and
99 63A-3-107 .
100 Section 3. Section 36-28-103 is enacted to read:
101 36-28-103. Duties.
102 The commission shall:
103 (1) comply with the rules of legislative interim committees;
104 (2) study and make recommendations to the Legislature on the following issues as they
105 impact active duty servicemembers, veterans, and their dependents:
106 (a) reintegration from military to civilian status;
107 (b) employment;
108 (c) finances;
109 (d) education;
110 (e) health and mental health, including suicide prevention;
111 (f) military affairs, including the impact of military bases; and
112 (g) coordination of state and local government resources to assist active duty
113 servicemembers, veterans, and their dependents; and
114 (3) consider the unique role of the Utah National Guard and its servicemembers in
115 regard to the issues in Subsection (2).
116 Section 4. Section 36-28-104 is enacted to read:
117 36-28-104. Staff support.
118 The Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel shall staff the commission.
119 Section 5. Section 63I-2-236 is amended to read:
120 63I-2-236. Repeal dates -- Title 36.
121 (1) Section 36-12-15.1 is repealed July 1, 2015.
122 (2) Sections 36-16a-101 through 36-16a-108 are repealed January 1, 2013.
123 (3) Sections 36-28-101 through 36-28-104 are repealed January 1, 2019.
124 Section 6. Appropriation.
125 Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, for
126 the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014, and ending June 30, 2015, the following sums of money
127 are appropriated from resources not otherwise appropriated, or reduced from amounts
128 previously appropriated, out of the funds or accounts indicated. These sums of money are in
129 addition to any amounts previously appropriated for fiscal year 2014.
130 To Legislature - Senate
131 From General Fund, Ongoing
$7,000
132 Schedule of Programs:
133 Administration $7,000
134 To Legislature - House of Representatives
135 From General Fund, Ongoing
$10,000
136 Schedule of Programs:
137 Administration $10,000
Legislative Review Note
as of 2-4-14 8:57 AM