(a)The board shall have all of the powers necessary to carry out and effectuate the purposes of this chapter. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the board shall have and exercise all of the following powers:
(1)Provide comprehensive support services to veterans and their families residing in this state, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
a. Assistance with accessing federal and state benefits.
b. Career counseling and job placement services.
c. Mental health and wellness programs.
d. Education and training opportunities.
e. Support for military spouses, dependents, and families.
(2)Develop, monitor, implement, and update as necessary the strategic plan and strategies for the Alabama Veterans Resource Center.
(3)Oversee the operations and finances of the
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(a) The board shall have all of the powers necessary to carry out and effectuate the purposes of this chapter. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the board shall have and exercise all of the following powers:
(1) Provide comprehensive support services to veterans and their families residing in this state, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
a. Assistance with accessing federal and state benefits.
b. Career counseling and job placement services.
c. Mental health and wellness programs.
d. Education and training opportunities.
e. Support for military spouses, dependents, and families.
(2) Develop, monitor, implement, and update as necessary the strategic plan and strategies for the Alabama Veterans Resource Center.
(3) Oversee the operations and finances of the center.
(4) Employ an executive director or other employees, or both, to manage the day-to-day operations of the center.
(5) Establish committees as necessary.
(6) Develop and implement a hub and spoke model for the center, with a central office providing core services and a network of regional offices offering localized support and access points through a public-private partnership. The center may also use an online portal and other physical structures or technology to conduct its operations.
(7) Adopt, alter, and repeal bylaws as necessary for the regulation and conduct of the affairs and business of the center and for the implementation of this chapter.
(8) Make and enter into contracts, leases, and agreements and take other actions as the board determines necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this chapter and the center and exercise any power necessary for the accomplishment of the purposes of the center or incidental to the powers expressly provided by this chapter.
(9) Appoint, employ, and contract with employees, agents, advisors, consultants, and service providers, including, but not limited to, attorneys, accountants, financial experts, and other advisors, consultants, and agents as the board determines necessary or desirable to accomplish any purpose of the center or incidental to the powers expressly provided by this chapter, and to fix the compensation of those individuals.
(10) Manage, invest, and expend funds at its disposal.
(11) Grant monies and things of value in aid of, or to, any individual, firm, corporation, or other business entity, public or private, as the board determines necessary or desirable to accomplish any purpose of the center or incidental to the powers expressly provided by this chapter.
(12) Take any action necessary to exercise its rights or fulfill its obligations relevant to the center under state law.
(13) All other powers necessary to carry out and effectuate the purposes of this chapter. These powers shall be construed broadly so that the failure to state a power of the board shall not be considered a limitation upon the board, as long as the board determines the power is necessary to allow the board to fulfill the purpose of the center as provided by this chapter.
(b) The board may make, enter into, and execute contracts, agreements, and other instruments with, accept appropriations, loans, gifts, aid, and grants from, and cooperate with, any other individual or entity, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1) The United States of America, the state, or any agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision of either.
(2) For profit and nonprofit private entities.
(3) Public bodies, departments, or authorities, including, but not limited to, any entity in the Executive Branch of the state, to act on behalf of the board in carrying out functions that the board determines are consistent with this chapter and the powers of the center.
(c)(1) Members of the board shall be subject to the state ethics laws under Chapter 25 of Title 36, but members of the board shall not be required to submit a statement of economic interests under Section 36-25-14. The center is not a business for purposes of the state ethics laws, Chapter 25 of Title 36, and a public official or public employee holding a position on the board is not precluded from taking official actions affecting the center as long as there is no impermissible personal gain.
(2) The board is subject to the Alabama Open Meetings Act under Chapter 25A of Title 36. In addition to the reasons set forth in Section 36-25A-7, the board may go into executive session to discuss sensitive issues related to veteran needs, programs, or services.