CSHB 87(MLV): "An Act establishing the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council; and providing for an effective date."
00 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 87(MLV) 01 "An Act establishing the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council; and providing for an 02 effective date." 03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 04 * Section 1. AS 44.35 is amended by adding new sections to read: 05 Article 2. Alaska Veterans Advisory Council. 06 Sec. 44.35.105. Alaska Veterans Advisory Council. There is created in the 07 Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council. 08 Sec. 44.35.110. Purpose. The council shall advise the legislature, the 09 Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs and, through the governor, other 10 departments and agencies of the state on matters concerning state veterans, their 11 dependents, and their survivors. 12 Sec. 44.35.120. Duties. (a) The council shall annually make 13 recommendations to the legislature, governor, and Department of Military and 14 Veterans' Affairs concerning the needs of and benefits for the state's veterans, for
01 developing public and private partnerships to meet those needs, for providing 02 information regarding veterans' benefits and services, for improving recognition of 03 state veterans, and on other matters concerning state veterans, their dependents, and 04 their survivors. 05 (b) The council shall hold meetings and establish committees and internal 06 procedures as necessary and appropriate to carry out its duties. Meetings shall be held 07 quarterly or less frequently as the council determines is appropriate. To the extent 08 possible, the council shall use teleconferencing or other electronic means to minimize 09 the costs of meeting and to maximize public participation. 10 Sec. 44.35.130. Composition. (a) The council consists of 21 members 11 appointed as follows: 12 (1) 19 of the members shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure 13 of the governor; the governor's appointees shall include at least 15 veterans, with at 14 least one each from three veterans organizations chartered by the United States 15 Congress; the governor's appointees shall also include at least one person from a state 16 agency that manages programs affecting veterans and at least one person from the 17 general public who is familiar with veterans' issues; 18 (2) one member shall be a member of the senate appointed by and 19 serving at the pleasure of the president of the senate; 20 (3) one member shall be a member of the house of representatives 21 appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the speaker of the house. 22 (b) Members of the council who are not state officers or employees are 23 appointed for staggered three-year terms and serve until a successor is appointed. A 24 member appointed to fill a vacancy on the council serves for the remainder of the 25 unexpired term of the member whose vacancy is being filled. 26 (c) The council shall elect a chair from among its members who are not state 27 officers or employees. 28 Sec. 44.35.140. Compensation, per diem, and expenses. Members of the 29 council who are not state officers or employees do not receive a salary, but are entitled 30 to per diem and travel expenses as authorized for members of boards and commissions 31 under AS 39.20.180.
01 * Sec. 2. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 02 read: 03 REVISOR INSTRUCTIONS. In AS 44.35, the revisor of statutes shall 04 (1) designate a new article, entitled "Article 1. Department Functions," 05 containing AS 44.35.010 - 44.35.040; and 06 (2) renumber existing AS 44.35.100 as 44.35.900, and designate a new 07 article, entitled "Article 3. General Provisions," containing AS 44.35.900. 08 * Sec. 3. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).