36-28-102. Veterans and Military Affairs Commission -- Creation -- Membership -- Chairs -- Terms -- Per diem and expenses.

573 words·~3 min read·/ut/title-36/chapter-28/36-28-102

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Effective 5/6/2026

(1)There is created the Veterans and Military Affairs Commission.

(2)The commission membership is composed of 17 permanent members, but may not exceed 23 members, and is as follows:

(a)five legislative members to be appointed as follows:

(i)three members from the House of Representatives, whom the speaker of the House of Representatives appoints, no more than two of whom may be from the same political party; and

(ii)two members from the Senate, whom the president of the Senate appoints, no more than one of whom may be from the same political party;

(b)the executive director of the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs or the director's designee;

(c)the chair of the Utah Veterans Advisory Council;

(d)the executive director of the Department of Workforce Services or the director's designee;

(e)the executive director of the Department of Health and Human Services or the director's designee;

(f)the adjutant general of the Utah National Guard or the adjutant general's designee;

(g)the Guard and Reserve Transition Assistance Advisor;

(h)a designee of the Utah Board of Higher Education, whom the commissioner of higher education selects, under the direction of the board;

(i)three representatives of veteran service organizations whom the Veterans Advisory Council recommends and the commission confirms;

(j)one member of the Executive Committee of the Utah Defense Alliance; and

(k)a representative from the Veterans Health Administration.

(3)The commission may appoint by majority vote of the entire commission up to six pro tempore members, representing:

(a)state or local government agencies;

(b)interest groups concerned with veterans issues; or

(c)the general public.

(a)The president of the Senate shall designate a member of the Senate appointed under Subsection (2)(a) as a cochair of the commission.

(b)The speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate a member of the House of Representatives appointed under Subsection (2)(a) as a cochair of the commission.

(5)A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. The action of a majority of a quorum constitutes the action of the commission.

(6)The term for each pro tempore member appointed in accordance with Subsection

(3)shall be two years from July 1 of the year of appointment. A pro tempore member may not serve more than three terms.

(7)If a member leaves office or is unable to serve, the vacancy shall be filled as it was originally appointed. A person appointed to fill a vacancy under Subsection

(6)serves the remaining unexpired term of the member being replaced. If the remaining unexpired term is less than six months, the newly appointed member shall be reappointed on July 1. The time served until July 1 is not counted in the restriction set forth in Subsection

(6).

(8)A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:

(a)Section 63A-3-106 ;

(b)Section 63A-3-107 ; and

(c)rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107 .

(9)Salaries and expenses of the members of the commission who are legislators shall be paid in accordance with Section 36-2-2 and Legislative Joint Rules, Title 5, Chapter 3, Legislator Compensation.

Amended by Chapter 301 , 2026 General Session