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