December 4, 2004

Comfort Suites Bismarck, North Dakota

Meeting reconvened at 8:30am by Interim Chairman Jenson. Pledge of Allegiance, followed by moment of silence for POW/MIA

Roll Call

• Members PRESENT:

  Daryl Beard	Orletta Kilen	Paul Smathres
  Carl Bloomquist	Dean Overby	Dave Vandergon
  Larry Dakken	Rick Ryan	Bob Volk
  Rudy Jenson

• 
  
• Members ABSENT:

  Wally Buckingham

  Lyle Schuchard

  Gary Skarphol

No subcommittee reports.

Motion by Beard on HB 1027, line 9 to remove “for at least 30 days”, second by Smathers. Discussion. Motion and second withdrawn.

Motion by Smathers on HB 1027, line 9 to remove “for at least 30 days”, on HB 1028 to remove “one year marriage requirement and age of spouse” and give the commissioner authority to adjust the bill as necessary, second by Vandergon. Motion passed unanimously. [MOTION #1]

Proposed legislation – Commissioner Hanson

37-18-04 Relates to duties of commissioner.

Motion by Bloomquist to add “veterans” before “county service officers” to bill and to make the same change where necessary, second by Vandergon. Motion passed unanimously.

The Commissioner will work with the Association of Counties in proposing additional language to the bill giving the Commissioner the ability to propose or recommend qualifications, etc. for service officers. The Commissioner is directed to send the proposed changes to the Association of Counties for their approval.

37-14-06 Department may provide aid

37-14-07 Repayment to be made to aid fund.

Proposed change would allow department to collect fees on loans. Change needs to be reflected in both sections.

Motion by Smathers to approve both bill changes, second by Volk. Motion passed unanimously. To be submitted by agency.

37-14-18 County veterans’ service officer – Appointment – Duties.

Motion by Smathers to support the bill, have it submitted by the department and to declare an emergency, second by Bloomquist. Concern raised on how this would affect counties who share a service officer, Commissioner will review this with Attorney General’s office before bill is submitted. Friendly amendment to delete “to declare an emergency”. Friendly amendment to include “or shared basis” after “part-time basis”. Amended motion passed unanimously.

39-4-10.10 North Dakota veterans’ cemetery number plates

North Dakota Coordinating Council asking for support on this legislation. The Administrative Committee would like to replace "cemetery" with "vehicular license" and make this change wherever the license plate is referred to in this the legislation.

Motion by Ryan to support legislation, second by Smathers. Discussion. Motion withdrawn.

Motion by Ryan that the committee doesn’t support the bill in its entirety and new legislation be submitted for a veterans license plate, second by Smathers. Motion passed unanimously.

15-10-18.2 Definitions

Motion by Smathers that the committee support the legislation and return it to the Association of Counties for their action, second by Vandergon. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Hanson reviewed a letter from Richard Rathge, Director, NDSU Data Center, stating that those living at the Veterans Home should, according to Bureau of Census, be counted as being a resident of Ransom County. An Attorney General’s Opinion has been requested on this same issue.

Motion by Smathers that the committee support the legislation proposed from the Adjutant General regarding a bonus and the active militia. Motion passed unanimously.

The Commissioner is directed to discuss with the Association of Counties other possible legislation concerning veterans’ issues they plan to submit.

Appeals Committee Report – Rick Ryan

Three appeals heard by committee; all three were denied based on income limitations. Housebound and Aid & Attendance benefits increase a veteran’s income even though it is used to assist the veteran to stay in his home. The amount could be deducted as an expense if it is used to pay outside sources.

Department of Veterans Affairs – Commissioner Hanson
Hardship Assistance Program, Policies and Procedures – Katie Potts [HANDOUTS]

Motion by Bloomquist that the department go ahead with the policies and procedures the committee approves of and bring back to the committee for consideration at the next meeting those items needing further discussion (life time caps, income limitations, land value), second by Smathers. Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman appointed the Postwar Trust Fund Committee, Daryl Beard and asked for someone from the department to put together a Homeless Program.

Veterans Aid Fund, Policies and Procedures – Katie Potts [HANDOUT]

• Committee recommends the department come back to the next meeting with other options regarding late payments than the two presented under the interest refund policy.
• Commissioner Hanson requested the authority to negotiate with loan applicant for a lesser amount than requested.

Motion by Ryan that the Department operate off the policies and procedures with the exception of the interest refund policy, second Dakken. Motion passed unanimously.

Bills of Rights– Rick Ryan [HANDOUTS]

• 1. County Commissioners’ Bill of Rights
• 2. County Veterans Service Officers Bill of Rights
• 3. ND Department of Veterans Affairs Bill of Rights

The Commissioner agreed to work on a Bill of Rights Policy for the Department and will present it to the Committee at a future meeting.

Press Release about ACOVA – Carl Bloomquist

Positive information about actions of Administrative Committee going out to news outlets. Committee members would take news release to their local newspaper. Synopsis of meeting to be completed within next two weeks. Notify veterans organizations’ newspapers/newsletters along with putting information on department website.

Next meeting scheduled for March 4 & 5, 2005 in Bismarck.

Possible legislation regarding veterans preference may be submitted. Commissioner will inform committee if this happens.

Motion to adjourn, seconded, passed.

Submitted by Rick Ryan Secretary