Amendment ASA2-AB96

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2011 - 2012 LEGISLATURE

ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 2, TO 2011 ASSEMBLY BILL 96

May 17, 2011 - Offered by Representative Sinicki.

AB96-ASA2,1,3 An Act to amend 15.49 of the statutes; relating to: the composition of the Board of Veterans Affairs and length of terms served by the members of the Board of Veterans Affairs.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, the Board of Veterans Affairs is composed of seven members appointed by the governor for six-year terms. Under this substitute amendment, the number of board members is increased to nine. The substitute amendment reduces the length of the term to four years so that all members appointed and confirmed after the date this substitute amendment becomes law will be appointed for four-year terms. Under the substitute amendment, for each congressional district in the state there must be at least one member of the board who is a resident of that district.

Under current law, all of the members must be veterans, and at least two of the members must be Vietnam War veterans. Under the substitute amendment, the Vietnam War veteran requirement is eliminated.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB96-ASA2, s. 1 Section 1. 15.49 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB96-ASA2,2,11 15.49 Department of veterans affairs; creation. There is created a department of veterans affairs under the direction and supervision of the board of veterans affairs. The board shall consist of 7 9 members who all of whom shall be veterans, including at least 2 who shall be Vietnam war veterans,. The members shall be appointed for staggered 6-year 4-year terms. The board shall be composed so that for each congressional district in the state there is at least one member of the board who is a resident of that district. If a member ceases to reside within the boundaries of the congressional district where he or she resided as that district existed at the time that member's current term began, the member vacates his or her office.

AB96-ASA2, s. 2 Section 2. Nonstatutory provisions.

AB96-ASA2,2,17 (1) Notwithstanding section 17.20 (2) of the statutes, any person serving as a member of the board of veterans affairs on the effective date of this subsection whose nomination has not been confirmed by the senate on or before that date may continue to hold office and exercise the powers and duties of that office only until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.

AB96-ASA2,2,22 (2) Until the membership of the board of veterans affairs comes into compliance with the residency requirements under section 15.49 (2) of the statutes, as affected by this act, the governor, in making appointments under section 15.49 (2) of the statutes, as affected by this act, shall ensure that the residency of the members of the board adheres, to the maximum extent possible, to these residency requirements.

AB96-ASA2,2,25 (3) (a ) Notwithstanding the length of terms specified in section 15.49, 2009 stats., and section 15.49 (2) of the statutes, as affected by this act, the members of the board of veterans affairs shall serve the terms as follows:

AB96-ASA2,3,2 1. The two successors for the members whose terms expired on May 1, 2011, shall serve for terms expiring on May 1, 2015.

AB96-ASA2,3,5 2. The member who is serving on the board on the effective date of this subdivision and who was appointed for a term beginning on May 1, 2007, shall serve for a term that expires on May 1, 2013.

AB96-ASA2,3,8 3. The two members who are serving on the board on the effective date of this subdivision and who were appointed for terms beginning on May 1, 2010, shall serve for terms expiring on May 1, 2013.

AB96-ASA2,3,10 4. Three of the members whose terms are not specified in subdivisions 1. to 3 . shall serve for terms expiring on May 1, 2017.

AB96-ASA2,3,12 5. The remaining member whose term is not specified under subdivisions 1. to 4. shall serve for a term expiring on May 1, 2015.

AB96-ASA2,3,15 (b) For purposes of paragraph (a) 4. and 5 ., the governor shall determine which three members will have terms that expire on May 1, 2017, and which member will have a term that expires on May 1, 2015.

AB96-ASA2,3,16 (End)