Senate Bill 2483, also known as House Bill 2143, amends Tennessee Code Annotated to enhance the structure and operation of local veterans service offices. The bill introduces new provisions that require county and municipal governing bodies to select personnel for these offices, designating those who have served in the armed forces as "county veterans service officers (CVSOs)" and those who have not as "county veterans service representatives (CVSRs)." It allows counties with populations over 75,000 to hire administrative assistants without requiring them to hold accreditation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, the bill mandates that all CVSOs and CVSRs must undergo background checks, attain accreditation within six months of appointment, and complete ongoing training to maintain their credentials.

The legislation also establishes guidelines for the staffing and funding of local veterans service offices, encouraging local governing bodies to maintain adequate personnel to support their veteran populations. It outlines the responsibilities of the commissioner of veterans services, including publishing annual guidance on staffing recommendations and salary rates. Furthermore, the bill stipulates that state funding for these offices must be exclusively allocated for salaries, benefits, supplies, and training, with budgets needing to be transparently published. Overall, the bill aims to improve the quality and accessibility of veterans services in Tennessee.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 58-3-109, 58-3-111