SF4560

Purpose

Create a standing advisory group, the Commanders Task Force, to advise the legislature, the governor, and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on matters relating to veterans and veterans families. The task force is intended to help connect state government with major veterans organizations in Minnesota.

Main Provisions

• Codification: Establishes a new Minnesota statute (section 197.581) defining the Commanders Task Force.
• Scope of advice: The task force provides guidance on issues affecting veterans and veterans families and acts as a liaison between state government and the member organizations.

Membership

• The task force is made up of elected leaders from eight congressionally chartered Minnesota veteran service organizations: 1) The American Legion 2) American Veterans 3) Disabled American Veterans 4) Jewish War Veterans 5) Marine Corps League 6) Military Order of the Purple Heart 7) Paralyzed Veterans of America 8) Veterans of Foreign Wars

Organization

• The task force adopts its own rules and procedures for conducting regular meetings.
• It annually elects a chair and a vice-chair from among its members.

Duties

• Advise the commissioner, the legislature, and the governor on matters related to veterans, the families of veterans, and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Serve as a liaison between state government and the member veteran organizations.

Compensation and Expenses

• Members are not entitled to compensation, per diem, reimbursement for child care expenses, or other expense reimbursements from state funds.

Duration/Expiration

• The task force is not set to expire; it is designed to be a permanent body.

Notable Changes to Law

• Establishes a new permanent advisory body focused on veterans affairs, codified in Minnesota Statutes (new section 197.581).
• Clarifies that members will not receive state-funded reimbursements or compensation, shaping how the group operates financially.

Relevant Terms - Commanders Task Force - Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs - veterans - veterans families - The American Legion - American Veterans - Disabled American Veterans - Jewish War Veterans - Marine Corps League - Military Order of the Purple Heart - Paralyzed Veterans of America - Veterans of Foreign Wars - liaison - legislature - governor - per diem - child care expenses - Minnesota Statutes 197.581 - advisory group - permanent (not expiring) task force