MEMBERSHIP ON COUNTY DVA BOARD

House Bill 4970 (H-1, as reported from committee)

Sponsor:  Rep. Sam Singh

Committee:  Military and Veterans Affairs

Complete to 3-2-16                                                                 (Enacted as Public Act 420 of 2016)

SUMMARY:

Public Act 192 of 1953 provides for the creation of county veterans affairs departments.  Such county departments are 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 who have served honorably on active duty in the United States armed forces.  The bill would newly require that committees include: (1) at least one member representing a congressionally chartered veterans organization within the county, to be appointed on the recommendation of the posts of each chartered veterans organization; and (2) at least one independent member who may or may not be 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.

POSITIONS:

·         A representative of the American Legion testified in supports of the bill. (2-4-16)

·         Ingham County Department of Veteran Affairs supports the bill. (10-23-15)

·         Military Order of Purple Heart supports the bill. (2-4-16)

·         Veterans of Foreign Wars supports the bill. (2-4-16)

·         Vietnam Veterans of America supports the bill. (2-4-16)

                                                                                         Legislative Analyst:   E. Best

                                                                                                 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.