Enrolled Copy S.B. 231
1 VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS GRANT AUTHORITY
2 2020 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Todd Weiler
5 House Sponsor: Paul Ray
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill modifies provisions related to the Department of Veterans and Military
10 Affairs.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 < authorizes the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs to award grants for
14 certain purposes;
15 < gives rulemaking authority to the department related to administration of the grants;
16 and
17 < makes technical changes.
18 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
19 None
20 Other Special Clauses:
21 None
22 Utah Code Sections Affected:
23 AMENDS:
24 71-8-2, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapters 39 and 200
25
26 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
27 Section 1. Section 71-8-2 is amended to read:
28 71-8-2. Department of Veterans and Military Affairs created -- Appointment of
29 executive director -- Department responsibilities.
 S.B. 231 Enrolled Copy
30 (1) There is created the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs.
31 (2) The governor shall appoint an executive director for the department, after
32 consultation with the Veterans Advisory Council, who is subject to Senate confirmation.
33 (a) The executive director shall be an individual who:
34 (i) has served on active duty in the armed forces for more than 180 consecutive days;
35 (ii) was a member of a reserve component who served in a campaign or expedition for
36 which a campaign medal has been authorized; or
37 (iii) incurred an actual service-related injury or disability in the line of duty, whether or
38 not that person completed 180 consecutive days of active duty; and
39 (iv) was separated or retired under honorable conditions.
40 (b) Any veteran or veterans group may submit names to the council for consideration.
41 (3) The department shall:
42 (a) conduct and supervise all veteran activities as provided in this title;
43 (b) determine which campaign or combat theater awards are eligible for a special group
44 license plate in accordance with Section 41-1a-418;
45 (c) verify that an applicant for a campaign or combat theater award special group
46 license plate is qualified to receive it;
47 (d) provide an applicant that qualifies a form indicating the campaign or combat theater
48 award special group license plate for which the applicant qualifies;
49 (e) adopt rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative
50 Rulemaking Act, to carry out the provisions of this title; and
51 (f) ensure that any training or certification required of a public official or public
52 employee, as those terms are defined in Section 63G-22-102, complies with Title 63G, Chapter
53 22, State Training and Certification Requirements, if the training or certification is required:
54 (i) under this title;
55 (ii) by the department; or
56 (iii) by an agency or division within the department.
57 (4) (a) The department may award grants for the purpose of supporting veteran and
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 Enrolled Copy S.B. 231
58 military outreach, employment, education, healthcare, homelessness prevention, and
59 recognition events.
60 (b) The department may award a grant described in Subsection (4)(a) to:
61 (i) an institution of higher education listed in Section 53B-1-102;
62 (ii) a nonprofit organization involved in veterans or military-related activities; or
63 (iii) a political subdivision of the state.
64 (c) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
65 department shall make rules for the administration of grants, including establishing:
66 (i) the form and process for submitting an application to the department;
67 (ii) the method and criteria for selecting a grant recipient;
68 (iii) the method and formula for determining a grant amount; and
69 (iv) the reporting requirements of a grant recipient.
70 (d) A grant may be awarded by the department only after consultation with the
71 Veterans Advisory Council.
72 [(4)] (5) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as altering or preempting the
73 provisions of Title 39, Militia and Armories, as specifically related to the Utah National Guard.
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Statutes affected:
Introduced: 71-8-2
Enrolled: 71-8-2