HB-4970, As Passed House, March 3, 2016

SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL NO. 4970

     A bill to amend 1953 PA 192, entitled

"An act to create a county department of veterans' affairs in

certain counties, and to prescribe its powers and duties; and to

transfer the powers and duties of the soldiers' relief commission

in such counties,"

by amending section 1 (MCL 35.621), as amended by 2012 PA 235.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

     Sec. 1. (1) The county board of commissioners may create a

county department of veterans' affairs. The county department of

veterans' affairs shall be under the administration of a committee

of 3 to 5 7 veterans, appointed by the county board of

commissioners. , who Members appointed to the committee shall be

residents of the county and who have served honorably on active

duty in the United States armed forces or who served actively in

the United States armed forces in a war or received an armed forces

campaign or service medal Armed Forces.

     (2) Committee members appointed under subsection (1) shall

include the following:

     (a) At least 1 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.

     (b) At least 1 independent member who may or may not be a

member of a congressionally chartered veterans' organization within

the county.

     (3) Each committee member appointed under this section shall

have demonstrated knowledge, skills, and experience in public

service, business, or finance.

     (4) If an opening on a committee of veterans occurs, the

county board of commissioners shall provide notice of that opening

to 1 or more newspapers within the county and to veteran service

organizations within the county.

     (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of any law of this state to

the contrary, a member of the county board of commissioners of a

county shall be is eligible for appointment under this section.

Members

     (6) Committee members appointed by the county board of

commissioners under this section shall be appointed for a term of 4

years each. However, the terms for committee members first

appointed shall be staggered so that not more than 2 vacancies are

scheduled to occur in a single year. Vacancies shall be filled in

the same manner as original appointments for the unexpired terms.

     Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days

after the date it is enacted into law.