Louisiana House Bill HB401

Louisiana 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/31/17
• Refer: 3/31/17
• Refer: 4/10/17
• Report Pass: 4/20/17
• Engrossed: 5/1/17
• Refer: 5/2/17
• Report Pass: 5/23/17
• Enrolled: 6/5/17
• Chaptered: 6/16/17
• Passed: 6/16/17

Caption

Provides relative to the membership of the Veterans' Affairs Commission

Impact

The amendments provide clarity on the appointment process, limiting the governor's ability to appoint more than two members from the same veterans' organization. This change is intended to diversify the commission's representation and ensure a broader perspective on issues faced by veterans. Additionally, it establishes a framework for the appointment and removal of members, with terms set to six years, which provides stability while allowing for periodic refreshment of the commission's makeup.

Summary

House Bill 401 amends existing legislation concerning the Veterans' Affairs Commission in Louisiana, particularly focusing on the structure and appointment of its members. The bill stipulates that the commission shall be composed of nine members who are honorably discharged veterans and qualified voters, ensuring that representation on the commission includes individuals with both military service and a vested interest in veteran affairs.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 401 appears to be largely positive, with broad support from legislators. The clear framework for appointments and removals reflects a response to previous concerns about the governance structure of the Veterans' Affairs Commission. By addressing representation and term limits, the bill seeks to enhance the efficacy of the commission in serving veterans. The unanimous vote (98 yeas, 0 nays) demonstrates a consensus among lawmakers on the importance of robust veterans' representation in state governance.

Contention

While the bill enjoyed support, potential contention may arise from groups advocating for veterans’ interests who could see the limitation of appointing multiple members from a single organization as restrictive. There may also be debates about the qualifications required for members who are not from veterans' backgrounds, as the bill allows for appointments outside of traditional veterans' organizations. Such provisions could raise questions about the influence of non-veteran members on policies affecting veterans.