Virginia Law

Article 28. Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations.

A. The Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations (the Council) is established as an advisory council, within the meaning of § 2.2-2100, in the executive branch of state government. The Council shall be composed of one representative from each qualifying veterans service organization, to be appointed by the Governor, and the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services and the Chairmen of the Board of Veterans Services and the Veterans Services Foundation or their designees, who shall serve as nonvoting ex officio members. Each veterans service organization representative may designate an alternate to attend meetings of the Council in the absence of such representative.

Qualifying veterans service organizations shall be (i) composed principally of and controlled by veterans of the United States Armed Forces, (ii) a registered nonprofit organization in good standing, incorporated for the purpose of promoting programs designed to assist veterans of the armed forces of the United States and their eligible spouses, orphans, and dependents, and (iii) active and in good standing with its parent national organization, if such a parent organization exists.

B. Voting members shall be appointed for terms of three years. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired terms. No person shall be eligible to serve for or during more than two successive three-year terms. Each qualifying veterans service organization shall be responsible for recommending a member for appointment to the Council by the Governor.

C. The Council shall annually elect its chairman and vice-chairman from among its members. The Council shall develop and adopt its own charter, and shall develop and adopt a mission and vision statement in consultation with the Department of Veterans Services. A majority of the voting members of the Council shall constitute a quorum.

D. The Council shall meet at least four times per year. Additional meetings shall be subject to majority approval by the members of the Council.

E. Members of the Council shall not receive any compensation, but shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in § 2.2-2825.

2003, cc. 657, 670; 2004, c. 697; 2006, c. 150; 2008, cc. 467, 768; 2010, c. 64.

A. The Council shall have the following powers and duties:

1. Advise the Department of Veterans Services and the General Assembly regarding (i) methods of providing support for ongoing veterans services and programs, and (ii) addressing veterans issues on an ongoing basis;

2. Recommend issues that may potentially impact veterans of the armed forces of the United States and their eligible spouses, orphans, and dependents;

3. Advise the Department of Veterans Services and the Board of Veterans Services on matters of concern to Virginia-domiciled veterans and their eligible spouses, orphans, and dependents;

4. Promote and support existing veterans services and programs;

5. Recommend and promote implementation of new efficient and effective administrative initiatives that enhance existing veterans services and programs or provide for necessary veterans services and programs not currently provided; and

6. Maintain a nonpartisan approach to maintaining and improving veterans services and programs in the Commonwealth.

B. The chairman shall report to the Commissioner and the Board of Veterans Services the results of its meetings and submit an annual report on or before November 30 of each year.

C. The Council may apply for funds from the Veterans Services Foundation to enable it to better carry out its objectives. The Council shall not impose unreasonable burdens or costs in connection with requests of agencies.

2003, cc. 657, 670; 2008, cc. 467, 768; 2014, c. 809.