2017 -- S 0541

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LC001766

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE - RHODE ISLAND VETERANS'

HOME - ADVISORY COUNCIL

     Introduced By: Senators Seveney, and Felag

     Date Introduced: March 09, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     (Office of Veterans Affairs)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 30-24-3, 30-24-4 and 30-24-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 30-

24 entitled "Rhode Island Veterans' Home" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     30-24-3. Administrator -- Advisory council.

     (a) The director of human services veterans affairs shall appoint an administrator for the

Rhode Island veterans' home who shall be an honorably discharged war veteran of the United

States Armed Forces.

     (b) There shall be an advisory council for veterans' affairs, consisting of not more than

twenty-seven (27) fifteen (15) qualified electors of this state, ten (10) of whom shall be honorably

discharged war veterans of the armed forces of the United States; sixteen (16) twelve (12) of the

members shall be appointed by the governor, consisting of a member designated by each of the

various state departments of the active federally-chartered veteran organizations, one of whom

shall be a member of the purple heart organization, and the remaining member or members at

large; provided, however, that each of those departments of veteran organizations shall have, and

continue to have, at least one member on the advisory council for veterans' affairs; and, provided

further, that one member shall be a female veteran, one member shall be a minority veteran;, one

member shall be a representative of the Persian Gulf War Veterans' Association, and one member

shall be a representative of the Korean War Veterans' Association; seven (7) members; shall

consist of five (5) one members member of the house of representatives, not more than four (4)

members from the same political party, to be appointed by the speaker of the house of

representatives, and two (2) one members member from the senate, not more than one from the

same political party, to be appointed by the president of the senate. The seven (7) members of the

general assembly who shall serve on the advisory council for veterans' affairs shall serve so long

as they are members of the general assembly.

     (b) The remaining members shall be one former representative having served at least five

(5) years on the advisory council, to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives,

and one former senator having served at least five (5) years on the advisory council, to be

appointed by the president of the senate. If either of the last two (2) mentioned are not available,

the selections may be members at-large selected from the general public; provided, further, the

immediate past chief of veterans' affairs shall serve as ex-officio of the veterans' council with

voting privileges for a period of five (5) years and may be reappointed for an additional term by

the governor. The final remaining member shall be an active National Guard person to be

appointed by the state adjutant general.

     30-24-4. Appointments to advisory council -- Organization and meetings.

     Annually, on or before July 1, the governor shall appoint a successor of each member of

the advisory council whose term expires, these appointments to be for a term of three (3) years.

Provided, however, that a former state representative or senator having served at least five (5)

years on the advisory council shall be appointed for a term of at least five (5) years. In case of any

vacancy or additional members on the council, the governor shall appoint a new member for the

unexpired portion of the term of that membership as hereinbefore provided. Members of the

council shall serve without pay. The advisory council shall elect one of its members to serve as

chairperson for a period of one year and until a successor is elected and qualified. Meetings shall

be held at the call of the chairperson; provided, however, that a majority of the members may call

a meeting of the advisory council at any time, all members being notified in any case by mail and

reasonably in advance of any such meetings. A majority of members shall constitute a quorum for

the transaction of business. The governor may remove a member of the council for neglect of

duty. Secretarial service Administrative support for the council shall be provided by the director

of veterans affairs the department of human services. Provided, further, the immediate past chief

of veterans' affairs shall serve as ex-officio of the veterans' council with voting privileges for a

period of five (5) years and may be reappointed for an additional term by the governor.

     30-24-5. Functions of advisory council.

     The advisory council for veterans' affairs shall exercise and perform all the duties and

functions formerly exercised and performed by the advisory council for the Rhode Island

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veterans' home. The advisory council for the Rhode Island veterans' home is hereby abolished.

The advisory council for veterans' affairs shall make suggestions to and shall advise the director

of the office of veterans' affairs and the administrator of the veterans' home concerning the

policies, rules, and the regulations of the Rhode Island veterans' home; provided, however, that

the advisory council shall have no administrative power.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE - RHODE ISLAND VETERANS'

HOME - ADVISORY COUNCIL

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     This act would reduce the number of advisory council members from twenty-seven (27)

to fifteen (15) and would eliminate the duty of the advisory council to advise the administrator of

the veterans' home.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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