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2008 SESSION


CHAPTER 486
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2715 and 2.2-2716 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Veterans Services Foundation.
[H 477]
Approved March 8, 2008

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That §§ 2.2-2715 and 2.2-2716 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 2.2-2715. Veterans Services Foundation; purpose; membership; terms; compensation; staff.

A. The Veterans Services Foundation (the Foundation) is established to serve as an advisory foundation, within the meaning of § 2.2-2100, a body politic and corporate supporting the Department of Veterans Services in the executive branch of state government. The Foundation shall be governed and administered by a board of trustees for the purpose of providing funding for veteran services and programs in the Commonwealth through the Veterans Services Fund (the Fund). The Foundation shall (i) administer the Veterans Services Fund (the Fund), (ii) provide funding for veterans services and programs in the Commonwealth through the Fund, and (iii) raise revenue from all sources including private source fundraising to support the Fund. The Foundation shall submit a quarterly report to the Commissioner of Veterans Services on the Foundation's funding levels and services.

B. The Foundation shall consist of the Commissioner of Veterans Services and the Chairman Chairmen of the Board of Veterans Services and the Joint Leadership Council, who shall serve as ex officio voting members, and 16 members to be appointed as follows: (i) eight nonlegislative citizens appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly; five nonlegislative citizens appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; and three nonlegislative citizens appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. A majority of the trustees shall be active or retired chairmen, chief executive officers, or chief financial officers for large private corporations or nonprofit organizations and individuals who have extensive fundraising experience in the private sector. Trustees appointed by the Governor shall, insofar as possible, be veterans. Each appointing authority shall endeavor to ensure a balanced geographical representation on the Board to facilitate fundraising efforts across the state.

Initial appointments by the Governor shall be staggered as follows: two members for a term of one year, three members for a term of two years, and three members for a term of four years. Thereafter, After initial appointments, members shall be appointed for a term of three four years. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. All members may be reappointed. However, no member shall serve more than two consecutive three-year four-year terms. The remainder of any term to which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining the member's eligibility for reappointment. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. Any member of the Board of Trustees may be removed by the Governor at his pleasure.

C. Trustees shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred while attending meetings of the trustees or performing other duties. However, such reimbursement shall not exceed the per diem rate established for members of the General Assembly pursuant to § 30-19.12.

D. The Secretary of Public Safety shall designate a state agency to provide the Foundation with administrative and other services.

E. The trustees shall adopt bylaws governing their organization and procedures and may amend the same. The trustees shall elect from their number a chairman and such other officers as their bylaws may provide.

F. Any person designated by the board of trustees to handle the funds of the Foundation or the Fund shall give bond, with corporate surety, in a penalty fixed by the Governor, conditioned upon the faithful discharge of his duties. Any premium on the bond shall be paid from funds available to the Foundation.

§ 2.2-2716. Authority of Foundation.

The Foundation has the authority to:

1. Administer the Veterans Services Fund and make expenditures from the Fund to the Department of Veterans Services to provide supplemental funding for the Department's services and programs;

2. Accept, hold, and administer gifts and bequests of money, securities, or other property, absolutely or in trust, for the purposes for which the Foundation is created;

3. Enter into contracts and execute all instruments necessary and appropriate to carry out the Foundation's purposes;

4. Take such actions as may be reasonably necessary to seek, promote, and stimulate contributions for the Fund;

5. Make recommendations concerning Develop other possible dedicated revenue sources for the Fund; and

6. Perform any lawful acts necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Foundation.

2. That the initial terms of the members of the board of trustees appointed pursuant to this act shall be staggered as follows: (i) two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates and one member appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules to a term of four years, (ii) two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates and one member appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules to a term of three years, and (iii) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates and one member appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules to a term of two years. Thereafter, the terms of members shall be four years.