§ 19-14-107 — Creation of veterans' commission; composition; terms

Wyoming § 19-14-107

• Jurisdiction: Wyoming
• Title 19: Defense Forces and Affairs
• Ch. 14: VETERANS

Text

(a) A Wyoming veterans' commission is created within the
military department consisting of twelve (12) members, not less
than one (1) of whom shall reside in each judicial district
identified in W.S. 5-3-101, appointed by the governor for
staggered terms of three (3) years. Commencing with initial
appointments made in 2005, four (4) members of the board shall
be appointed for a term of one (1) year, four (4) members for a
term of two (2) years and four (4) members for a term of three
(3) years. Terms thereafter shall be three (3) years and
staggered with one-third (1/3) of the members' terms expiring
each year. Appointments shall be made without regard to
political affiliation, sex, religion or ethnic background. The
governor may remove any member as provided in W.S. 9-1-202. A
chairman shall be elected by the commission from among its
members and a new chairman elected every two (2) years
thereafter.
(b) The commission shall meet at least once a year and at
the call of the governor. Members shall be reimbursed according
to W.S. 9-3-102 and 9-3-103 for per diem and travel expenses
incurred in the performance of their duties.
(c) The commission shall:
(i) Study all federal and state legislation affecting
veterans, their spouses, dependents and beneficiaries;
(ii) Establish liaison with agencies dealing with
veteran's affairs;
(iii) Make recommendations to the legislature and to
the governor concerning veterans;
(iv) Adopt policies and procedures necessary to
administer the veteran burial team account pursuant to W.S.
19-14-109;
(v) Prepare, maintain and distribute information, by
printed material or otherwise, to educate Wyoming veterans and
their families regarding veterans' benefits, healthcare and
disability claims, pension claims and other matters relevant to
veteran status;
(vi) Provide oversight and administrative services
for the operation of any veterans' cemetery authorized by W.S.
19-14-108, including but not limited to establishing cemetery
directors and advisory boards;
(vii) Provide assistance to Wyoming veterans and
their families for the filing and processing of veterans'
benefits, veterans' healthcare benefits and United States
Department of Veterans Affairs disability and pension claims;
(viii) Administer all vehicle licensing and driver's
licensing obligations required of the commission pursuant to
title 31;
(ix) Maintain and administer the veterans' commission
expendable trust fund pursuant to rules and procedures which
shall be promulgated by the commission and approved by the
military department;
(x) To the extent the employment of an executive
director would aid in accomplishing the duties required by this
section and benefit Wyoming veterans, appoint or retain an
executive director for such period, upon such terms and
conditions and for such compensation as the commission may deem
appropriate. Any appointment shall be made with the approval of
the adjutant general and the governor and shall be subject to
the removal authority provided by W.S. 9-1-202. An executive
director may hire and supervise such other staff as may be
authorized by the commission and shall be administratively
supported by the military department;
(xi) Collect, maintain and preserve physically or
electronically any military service records of past and present
Wyoming national guard personnel and those veterans who have
declared Wyoming as their residence upon separation from the
military. This shall include any records maintained by the
adjutant general pursuant to W.S. 19-7-103(b)(iii) and (xiv) if
delegated such responsibility;
(xii) Perform such other and further tasks as are
necessary to carry out the duties imposed by this section or as
required by the legislature.