Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

S.B. 231 (2020GS)

Sponsor

Sen. Weiler, T.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/30/2020

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• authorizes the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs to award grants for certain purposes;
• gives rulemaking authority to the department related to administration of the grants; and
• makes technical changes.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

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