BILL NUMBER: SB 1387 INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Committee on Veterans Affairs (Senators Denham (Chair), Cedillo, Correa, Maldonado, Negrete McLeod, Wiggins, and Wyland) FEBRUARY 19, 2010 An act to amend Sections 64, 66.5, 67, 68, and 72 of the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 1387, as introduced, Committee on Veterans Affairs. Department of Veterans Affairs: administration: California Veterans Board. Existing law establishes the California Veterans Board whose duties include determining the policies for all operations of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Existing law requires the board to consist of 7 members appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation, and requires one of the members to be a resident of a California veterans home. Existing law also provides that each member of the board receives, for each day's attendance at each meeting of the board, a per diem of $50. This bill would require one member of the board to have a degree in health care administration or experience in the financial management of health care facilities. This bill would require the member of the board who is a resident of a California veterans home to be appointed for a term expiring January 15 of odd-numbered years. This bill would prohibit the involvement of the board in daily operational matters of the department. This bill would remove the $50 per diem limit received by members of the board. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 64 of the Military and Veterans Code is amended to read: 64. There shall bein the Department of Veterans Affairs thea California Veterans Board. SEC. 2. Section 66.5 of the Military and Veterans Code is amended to read: 66.5. (a) One member of the board shall have substantial training or professional expertise in mortgage lending and real estate finance. (b) One other member of the board shall have substantial training or professional expertise in geriatrics, gerontology, or long-term care. (c) One member of the board shall have an accounting or auditing background, and preferably shall be a certified public accountant. (d) One member of the board shall have a degree in health care administration or shall have experience in the financial management of health care facilities.(d)(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any member of the board from serving the remainder of his or her term.(e)(f) The first vacancy in the membership of the board, that occurs after the enactment of the act adding this subdivision and does not require the training or expertise required by subdivision (a) or (b), shall be filled by the appointment of a member who meets the criteria required by subdivision (c). SEC. 3. Section 67 of the Military and Veterans Code is amended to read: 67. (a) Of the members as appointed, except as provided in subdivision (b), one shall be appointed for a term expiring January 15, 1947, two for terms expiring January 15, 1948, two for terms expiring January 15, 1949, and two for terms expiring January 15, 1950. Subsequent appointments shall be for terms of four years. (b) The member of the board who is a resident of a California veterans home shall be appointed for a term expiring January 15, 2004of an odd-numbered year . Subsequentappointments shall be for terms of two years. Theappointments shall be made on a rotational basis based on the age of the home, beginning with the oldest veterans home with independent living . (c) Vacancies shall be immediately filled by the Governor for the unexpired portion of the terms in which they occur. SEC. 4. Section 68 of the Military and Veterans Code is amended to read: 68. Each member of the board shall receive, for each day's attendance at each meeting of the board, a per diemof fifty dollars ($50), and shall receive the same per diem for each day spent on official duties assigned by the board. In addition, each member shall be reimbursed for his necessary traveling and other expenses incurred in the performance of his official duties. SEC. 5. Section 72 of the Military and Veterans Code is amended to read: 72. The California Veterans Board shall determine the policies for all operations of the department , but shall not be involved in daily operational matters .