| Formal Name: | Commission on Military and Veteran Affairs |
| Contact Person: | Robert Ford |
| Purpose: | 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. |
| How Many Affectable: | Statewide; 1.978M |
| How Many Served: | Statewide;1.978M |
| Year Created: | 2016 |
| Year Active: | 2017 |
| Sunset Date: | None |
| Authorization Citation: | Nebraska Revised Statutes 55-601, 55-602, 55-603, 55-604, 55-605, 55-606, and 48-203. |
| Parent Agency: | Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Number Of Members: | 11 |
| Who Appoints: | The members of the commission described in subdivision (1)(d) shall be appointed by the Governor. |
| Legislative Approval: | No |
| Qualifications Of Members: | : (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. |
| Per Diem: | (1) Members of the Commission on Military and Veteran Affairs shall receive no compensation for their services as members of the commission other than their salary, but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses. |
| Expense Reimbursement: | Reimbursement for expenses shall be as provided in sections 81-1174 to 81-1177. |
| Term Length: | 4 Years |
| Terms Rotate or Expire At Once: | Terms Rotate |
| Required FY 21-22: | 55-603: The commission shall meet two times each year |
| Held FY 21-22: | 2 Held |
| Required FY 22-23: | 55-603: The commission shall meet two times each year |
| Held FY 22-23: | 2 Held |
| Required FY 23-24: | 55-603: The commission shall meet two times each year |
| Held FY 23-24: | 2 Held |
| Support Staff: | Military Affairs Liaison and other NDVA functional (Legal, Finance) and administrative (HR, IT) support as needed (per 55-605) |
| Shared or Separate: | Seperate |
| FY 21-22 Budget: | FY 21-22 Budget: $29,680.01 actuals |
| FY 22-23 Budget: | FY 22-23 Budget: $31,052.61 actuals |
| FY 23-24 Budget: | FY 23-24 Budget: $32,889.67 actuals |
| Other Funding Sources: | None |
| Spending Authority: | Nebraska Revised Statutes 55-602, 55-604, 55-605. |
| Since July 1, 2020: | Annually since 2017, the Nebraska Commission on Military and Veteran Affairs has conducted studies to evaluate military, veteran, and retirement spendings impact on the state economy. The studies provide detailed information about the status of military assets located in Nebraska, including payroll and operations spending at the various facilities across the state. The reports also examine Department of Defense retirement spending and Veterans Affairs spending that takes place in Nebraska. The economic impact is estimated in terms of economic output (business sales), employee compensation (wages and benefits) and employment. The report was provided to the Nebraska legislature and Governor to support proposed legislation and programs. |