SB 97

Under current law, the Board of Veterans Affairs is composed of seven members

appointed by the governor for six-year terms. Under this bill, the number of board

members is increased to nine. The bill reduces the length of the term to four years

so that all members appointed and confirmed after the date this bill becomes law will

be appointed for four-year terms. Under the bill, for each congressional district in

the state there must be at least one member of the board who is a resident of that

district.

Under current law, all of the members must be veterans, and at least two of the

members must be Vietnam War veterans. Under the bill, all of the board members

must have served on active duty, but need not have served in any particular war or

conflict.

Under current law, the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) is under the

direction and supervision of the Board of Veterans Affairs. The governor appoints

the members of the board, and the board in turn appoints the secretary of veterans

affairs. Under this bill, the secretary is appointed by the governor to serve at the

governor's pleasure subject to confirmation by the senate, and the direction and

supervision of DVA is transferred from the board to the secretary. The bill also

requires that the secretary be a veteran.