AB 821

This bill makes various changes to the laws governing veterans affairs,

including changes to the powers of certain state public officials of the Department

of Veterans Affairs, changes to the powers of the Board of Veterans Affairs, and

changes regarding the maintenance of veterans homes.

This bill allows a state public official who is an officer or employee of DVA to

solicit, receive, and retain on behalf of the state anything of value for the purpose of

supporting veterans homes and members and veterans programs, benefits, and

services.

The bill transfers most of the powers of the Board of Veterans Affairs to DVA.

Under current law, the board has various powers, including creating policies and

making determinations relating to the disposition of moneys, the making of loans,

and the acquisition and conveyance of buildings and real property.

The bill directs DVA to provide annually $42,000 to the town of Dover to

reimburse the town for the costs of municipal services provided to the Wisconsin

Veterans Home at Union Grove. The bill also creates a full-time position within DVA

to act as facilities manager at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove.

Under the bill, each county is required to elect or appoint either a county

veterans service officer or a county veterans benefit specialist. Current law requires

each county to elect or appoint a county veterans service officer. A veterans benefit

specialist must be accredited under federal law to assist veterans with benefit

claims. The bill also expands who may qualify to be a county veterans service officer

to include individuals who served under honorable conditions in a reserve unit of the

US armed forces or in the national guard.

The bill also provides that DVA may approve a county veterans service

consortium to administer veterans benefits and services.

Finally, the bill makes various technical changes to laws governing veterans

affairs, including repealing obsolete or outdated appropriations.