SB132 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to consult with the South Dakota Veterans Council at least every two years about veterans' issues and allows the council to recommend changes to budgets, legislation, policies, and programs. The bill specifies that the council must include representatives from seven veterans organizations, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and others serving veterans in South Dakota.
This bill does not directly amend codified state law.
The amendment converts the Veterans Council from a flexible membership model that could add any congressionally chartered veterans organization by unanimous vote into a fixed seven-member council with one representative each from specific named organizations, which NARROWS the council's composition and removes the ability to expand membership.
The amendment changes the Department of Veterans Affairs' consultation frequency from quarterly to biannual and restructures the Veterans Council membership from six specific named organizations to a clearer list of seven organization categories, now including a new position for National American Indian Veterans representation. This BROADENS the council's composition to ensure more diverse veteran representation while reducing consultation frequency.
The enrolled version changed "may consult" to "shall consult," making consultations with the Veterans Council mandatory rather than optional, and restructured the council membership from naming six specific organizations to listing seven categories of representatives (adding "National American Indian Veterans" as a new member category). This strengthens the bill by making departmental consultation with veterans' voices a requirement and expanding representation to include Native American veterans.
Signed by the Governor S.J. 548
Delivered to the Governor S.J. 520
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 553
Signed by the President S.J. 505
Senate Concurred in amendments Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0. S.J. 479
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 65, NAYS 1. H.J. 486
Military and Veterans Affairs Certified uncontested, placed on consent H.J. 3
Military and Veterans Affairs Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 11, NAYS 0. H.J. 3
Military and Veterans Affairs Motion to amend Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 4. H.J. 3
Military and Veterans Affairs Scheduled for hearing
Military and Veterans Affairs Scheduled for hearing H.J. 1
First read in House and referred to House Military and Veterans Affairs H.J. 279
Senate Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 33, NAYS 0. S.J. 221
Military and Veterans Affairs Certified uncontested, placed on consent
Military and Veterans Affairs Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 0.
Military and Veterans Affairs Motion to amend
Military and Veterans Affairs Scheduled for hearing
Senate Referred to Senate Military and Veterans Affairs S.J. 121
First Reading Senate S.J. 112
Prime sponsor · Rep.
R
Prime sponsor · Sen.
R
Concurred in amendments
Do Pass Amended
Military and Veterans Affairs — Motion to amend
Military and Veterans Affairs — Do Pass Amended
Do Pass Amended
Military and Veterans Affairs — Do Pass Amended