Commission on Military and Veteran Affairs

Phillip O'Donnell and John Hilgert

The Commission on Military and Veteran Affairs shall have the authority to receive and administer funds from state, federal, and other sources. Additionally, the commission shall:(1) Address matters of military significance to Nebraska;(2) Maintain a cooperative and constructive relationship between state agencies and the military and veteran entities in Nebraska as necessary to ensure coordination and implementation of unified and comprehensive statewide strategies involved with, or affected by, the military;(3) Focus on and, when designated, serve as lead agency on:(a) Defense economic adjustment and transition information and activities;(b) Exploring operating costs, missions, and strategic value of federal military installations located in the state;(c) Employment issues for communities that depend on defense bases and defense-related businesses; and(d) Assistance provided to communities that have experienced a defense-related closure or realignment;(4) Advise the Governor, the Legislature, and other appropriate governmental officials on all matters in which the military services and the state have mutual interests, needs, and concerns;(5) Promote and optimize state and United States Department of Defense initiatives that will improve the military value of the Nebraska National Guard, active and reserve military force structure and installations, and the quality of life for military personnel residing in Nebraska;(6) Partner with local communities to conduct ongoing analyses of current and proposed changes to the mission, military force structure, and alignment of the United States Department of Defense;(7) Recommend state, federal, and local economic development projects to promote, foster, and support economic progress through a military presence in Nebraska;(8) Assist the private sector in developing derivative investments, employment, and educational opportunities associated with high technology programs and activities at Nebraskas military installations;(9) Partner with local communities to develop methods to improve private and public employment opportunities for former members of the military and their families residing in this state; and(10) Identify and support ways to provide sound infrastructure, adequate housing, education, and transition support into Nebraskas workforce for military members and their families, retired military personnel, and veterans.

1.93 million, State of Nebraska

1.93 million, State of Nebraska

2016

2017

None

Nebraska Revised Statutes 55-601, 55-602, 55-603, 55-604, 55-605, 55-606, and 48-203

Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs

11

Governor

No

(1) The Commission on Military and Veteran Affairs is created. The commission shall consist of the following voting members:(a) The Director of Economic Development;(b) The Adjutant General or his or her designee;(c) The Director of Veterans Affairs; and(d) Three residents of the State of Nebraska, one from each congressional district. At least one of the three residents shall have current or prior military experience and at least one shall have a background in business.(2) The commission shall have the following nonvoting, ex officio members:(a) The veterans' program coordinator of the Department of Labor;(b) The chair of the State Committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve;(c) The commander of the 55th Wing of the Air Combat Command or his or her designee;(d) The commander of the United States Strategic Command or his or her designee; and(e) The commander of the 557th Weather Wing of the United States Air Force or his or her designee.(3) The members of the commission described in subdivision (1)(d) of this section shall be appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall designate the initial terms of the members described in subdivision (1)(d) of this section so that one member serves for a term of two years, one member serves for a term of three years, and one member serves for a term of four years. Succeeding appointments shall be for terms of four years and shall be made in the same manner as the original appointments. The terms of the members shall begin on October 1 of the year in which they are appointed unless appointed to fill a vacancy. Appointments to fill a vacancy, occurring other than by the expiration of a term of office, shall be made for the unexpired term of the member whose office is vacated.

None

Reimbursement for expenses shall be as provided in sections 81-1174 to 81-1177.

One member serves for a term of two years, one member serves for a term of three years, and one member serves for a term of four years. Succeeding appointments shall be for terms of four years

Terms Rotate

2

2

2

2

2

2

Military Affairs Liaison and other NDVA functional (Legal, Finance) and administrative (HR, IT) support as needed (per 55-605)

Parent organization

$3,847 (UNL-BBR contract executed FY16-17) Actual Expenses, not including salarybenefits for Military Liaison

$32,745 Actual Expenses, not including salarybenefits for Military Liaison

$29,757 Actual Expenses, not including salarybenefits for Military Liaison

One inter-agency transfer occurred in 2017 to support the initial contract with UNL-BBR in FY16-17.

Nebraska Revised Statutes 55-602, 55-604, 55-605.

2016: The Commission on Military and Veteran Affairs (Commission) was created in 2016 by LB 754 which had an effective date of July 21, 2016. Governor Ricketts appointed Rita Sanders and Bill Williams to serve as Commissioners from the 1st and 2nd Congressional District on December 15, 2016. The Department of Veterans Affairs conducted interviews to fill the position of military affairs liaison in accordance with Neb. Rev. Stat. 55-605.2017: Governor Ricketts appointed David Bloomfield to serve as the Commissioner from the 3rd Congressional District on January 5, 2017. Phil ODonnell was hired as the first Military Affairs Liaison for the Commission on January 30, 2017. In 2017, the Commission joined the Association of Defense Communities a 300+ member organization dedicated to advancing issues that build strong communities and strengthen the ability for service members to defend our nation. The Commission held its first meeting on May 31. During this meeting the Commission voted to contract with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Bureau of Business Research (UNL-BBR) to assess the economic impact of military assets in Nebraska. Additionally, the Commission reviewed recommendations from the 2008 BRAC Task Force; a task force established by the Nebraska Legislature under the authority of LR 296. The recommendations from the 2008 BRAC Task Force Report that were still valid served as the Commissions recommendations for preserving and sustaining military assets and missions existing in Nebraska and served as the Commissions recommendations for actions which the state can take to encourage expanding such assets and missions pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. 55-606. Pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. 55-606, the annual report summarized the military assets of Nebraska, including installations and mission, and economic impact of the military assets in Nebraska. Additionally, the annual report described congressional actions related to BRAC, assessed the economic impact of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and DoD (military) retirees, and examined the workforce impacts of skills accumulated through military service. On November 13, 2017, the Commission voted to amend and submit its report to the Governor and Legislature.2018: In 2018, the Commission toured Nebraska National Guard facilities and met twice pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. 55-603. On May 23, 2018 the Commission voted to contract with UNL-BBR to summarize and assess the economic impact of military assets in Nebraska. Additionally, UNL-BBR assessed the economic impact of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs spending and DoD (military) retirees. UNL-BBR conducted special studies regarding attracting and retaining military personnel in Nebraska, property value and property tax impacts of Offutt Air Force Base and Nebraska National Guard presence in Lincoln, and the economic impact of the Nebraska National Guard Readiness Center in Grand Island. Furthermore, the Commission report described preliminary impacts of recent Nebraska legislation and regulatory reforms. Recommendations from the 2017 annual report that were still valid served as the Commissions recommendations for preserving and sustaining military assets and missions existing in Nebraska and served as the Commissions recommendations for actions which the state can take to encourage expanding such assets and missions pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. 55-606. On October 31, 2018 the Commission voted to amend and submit its annual report to the Governor and Legislature.2019: In 2019, the Commission met twice pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. 55-603. On June 18, 2019 the Commission voted to contract with UNL-BBR to summarize and assess the economic impact of military assets in Nebraska. Additionally, UNL-BBR assessed the economic impact of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs spending and DoD (military) retirees. UNL-BBR conducted special studies regarding Veteran population trends and impacts to the labor force, the impact of tax policies in Nebraska and Iowa, trends in GI Bill use, a profile of County Veteran Service Officers, military leave benefits to employees in each state, and review of State veteran services websites pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-203. Furthermore, the Commission report described preliminary impacts of recent Nebraska legislation and regulatory reforms. Of note, the Commission specifically recommended the passage of LB 153 which would change provisions relating to the taxation of military retirement benefits and LB 450 which would expand tuition assistance benefits to members of Nebraskas National Guard. On October 28, 2019 the Commission received the report of the Nebraska Department of Labor Veterans Program Coordinator pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-203 and voted to amend and submit its annual report to the Governor and Legislature for smarter, more informed policymaking.2020: To date, the Commission has met once pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. 55-603. On July 24, 2020 the Commission voted to contract with UNL-BBR to summarize and assess the economic impact of military assets in Nebraska. Additionally, UNL-BBR will assess the economic impact of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs spending and DoD (military) retirees. Furthermore, the Commission report will describe preliminary impacts of recent Nebraska legislation and regulatory reforms. Finally, UNL-BBR begin analysis of the DoD supply chain in Nebraska, small business resources for veterans, and best practices in hiring veterans. The Commission may contract with UNL-BBR in the fall to conduct a follow on survey of County Veterans Services Officers. Despite some delays associated with COVID19, the Commission is on track to submit its annual report to the Governor and Legislature.