COUNTY DEPT. OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS                                                  H.B. 4970 (H-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 4970 (Substitute H-1 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Representative Sam Singh

House Committee:  Military and Veteran Affairs

Senate Committee:  Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security

CONTENT

The bill would amend Public Act 192 of 1953, which provides for the creation of a county department of veterans' affairs, to do the following:

-- Increase from five to seven the maximum membership of a committee administering a county department.

-- Require at least one committee member, rather than all members, to be appointed upon the recommendation of the posts of each chartered veterans' organization in the county.

-- Require a committee to have at least one independent member who "may or may not" be a member of a congressionally chartered veterans' organization.

The Act allows a county board of commissioners to create a county department of veterans' affairs, which must be under the administration of a committee of three to five veterans appointed by the board. Under the bill, the committee would have to consist of three to seven appointed veterans.

The Act requires that each member appointed to a committee be appointed upon the recommendation of the posts of each chartered veterans' organization within the county. Under the bill, the committee would have to include at least one member representing a congressionally chartered veterans' organization within the county, to be appointed upon the recommendation of the posts of each chartered veterans' organization within the county. The committee also would have to include at least one independent member who could be, but would not have to be, a member of a congressionally chartered veterans' organization.

MCL 35.621                                                            Legislative Analyst:  Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State government. A county that expanded the size of its veterans' affairs committee pursuant to the authority in the bill would have increased costs of a minimal amount because the additional committee members would be eligible for per diem and mileage for attending meetings.

Date Completed:  9-20-16                                                  Fiscal Analyst:  Elizabeth Pratt

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.