Representing DAV at this hearing will be Anthony Hardie, State Special Assistant, and Al Labelle, State Judge Advocate.
DAV-Wis. has taken the position to support this legislation.
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The Wisconsin State Senate Committee on Economic Development and Veterans & Military Affairs will hold a public hearing on Senate Bill 97 at the time specified below.
SB 97 is the Senate companion bill to the amended, current version of Assembly Bill 96 (ASA1), which relates to the appointment of the WDVA Secretary and the composition and powers of the WDVA Board.
- Senate Committee on Economic Development and Veterans & Military Affairs – Public Hearing
- Monday, May 23, 2011, 10:00 A.M. (or upon adjournment of the Executive Session, whichever is later)
- Room 201 Southeast, State Capitol, Madison, Wis.
SB 97 and the current version of AB 96, relating to
the composition of the Board of Veterans Affairs, the appointment of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and direction and supervision of the State of Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA).
Under current law, the WDVA Secretary is appointed by the Governor’s appointees on the Board of Veterans Affairs to serve at the pleasure of the board. The Board of Veterans Affairs is composed of seven members appointed by the Governor for six-year terms. All of the members must be veterans, and at least two of the members must be Vietnam War veterans. Under current law, the WDVA Secretary promulgates, with the approval of the board, the administrative rules for administering WDVA and for performing WDVA's duties.
SB 97/AB 96 require selection of the WDVA Secretary through nomination by the Governor and confirmation, including a public confirmation hearing, by a majority of the state Senate.
Prior to appointment, the Governor must personally consult with the presiding officer of at least six Wisconsin veterans organizations.
Board of Veterans Affairs membership is expanded to 9 members (currently 7) appointed to staggered four-year terms (currently 6), with a requirement that at least one member of the board is a resident of each of the 8 Congressional districts in the state.
The secretary and all board members must be veterans and have served on active duty, both as defined in Chapter 45 (“Veterans Affairs”) of Wisconsin law.
SB 97/AB 96 vest authority to promulgate rules in the secretary, and requires the secretary to provide a copy of any proposed rule to the Board of Veterans Affairs. The board may make written comments to the rule, which are required to be included in the rule analysis submitted by WDVA under s. 227.14 (2), St
I fully support the current efforts to create a new direction for WDVA through a more diverse participation, and give the authority, and ultimately the responsibility, of dealing with the Secretary's office to a direct connection who will answer to the VSOs and others if and when it becomes necessary,
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