MEMBERSHIP ON COUNTY DVA BOARD
House Bill 4970 as introduced
Sponsor: Rep. Sam Singh
Committee: Military and Veterans Affairs
Complete to 1-27-16
SUMMARY:
Public Act 192 of 1953 provides for the creation of county veterans affairs departments. Such county departments are currently under the administration of a committee of three to five veterans appointed by the county board of commissioners. House Bill 4970 would allow the committee to be made up of three to seven veterans and would impose new requirements on committee membership.
As now, members appointed to the committee would have to be residents of the county and meet one or more of the following: (1) served honorably on active duty in the United States armed forces, (1) served actively in the United States armed forces in a war, (3) received an armed forces campaign or service medal.
The bill would newly require that committees include: (1) at least one member to represent each congressionally chartered veterans organization within the county, appointed on the recommendation of the posts of each chartered veterans organization; and (2) at least one member who was an independent member and not a member of a congressionally chartered veterans organization within the county.
MCL 35.621
FISCAL IMPACT:
HB 4970 would have no fiscal impact on the State and could result in indeterminate, nominal costs on county governments. This bill would allow county boards of commissioners to appoint up to two additional members to county departments of veterans affairs – this bill expands the maximum allowable membership from five to seven. While the veterans appointed to the county departments are not compensated for their service, MCL 35.623 allows for the payment of per diem and mileage to members in order to cover expenses related to attending meetings.
Fiscal Analyst: Kent P. Dell
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.