The Department of Veterans Affairs must now consult with the Veterans Council on a mandatory biannual basis instead of optionally, and the council composition expanded from six specific organizations to seven representatives including a new National American Indian Veterans seat.
26.249.25 26.249.26 101st Legislative Session 132 2026 South Dakota Legislature Senate Bill 132 HOUSE MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS ENGROSSED Introduced by: Senator Zikmund Underscores indicate new language. Overstrikes indicate deleted language. ENROLLED AN ACT ENTITLED An Act to modify provisions related to the South Dakota Veterans Council. 1 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA: 2 Section 1. That § 1-46A-5 be AMENDED: 3 1-46A-5. The Department of Veterans Affairs may shall consult with the South 4 Dakota Veterans Council on a biannual basis regarding matters relating related to veterans 5 and their dependents. The council shall provide recommendations to the department on 6 budgets, legislation, policies, and programs affecting veterans of this state and their 7 dependents. 8 The South Dakota Veterans Council consists of six congressionally chartered 9 Veterans Organizations including the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Disabled 10 American Veterans, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the American Legion, the 11 Vietnam Veterans of America chapters 1054 and 959, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars 12 one representative of each of the following: 13 (1) The American Legion; 14 (2) Disabled American Veterans; 15 (3) Military Order of the Purple Heart of the United States of America; 16 (4) National American Indian Veterans; 17 (5) Paralyzed Veterans of America; 18 (6) Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; and 19 (7) Vietnam Veterans of America, chapters 1054 and 959. 20 26.249.26 2 132 SB132 ENROLLED An Act to modify provisions related to the South Dakota Veterans Council. I certify that the attached Act originated in the: Senate as Bill No. 132 Secretary of the Senate President of the Senate Attest: Secretary of the Senate Speaker of the House Attest: Chief Clerk of the House Senate Bill No. 132 File No. ____ Chapter No. ______ Received at this Executive Office this _____ day of _____________, 2026 at ____________M. By for the Governor The attached Act is hereby approved this ________ day of ______________, A.D., 2026 Governor STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, ss. Office of the Secretary of State Filed ____________, 2026 at _________ o'clock __M. Secretary of State By Asst. Secretary of State