COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION BILL NO. 35-0008 Thirty-Fifth Legislature of the Virgin Islands January 31, 2023 An Act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 1, section 8a relating to the Office of Veterans Affairs to establish the Veterans Council under the Office of Veterans Affairs to serve as advisor to the office of Veterans Affairs and as a liaison between the Office of Veterans Affairs and all private entities serving veterans in the Territory PROPOSED BY: Senator Dwayne M. DeGraff Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands: 1 SECTION 1. Title 3, chapter 1, section 8a of the Virgin Islands Code is amended by 2 adding a subsection (c) that reads as follows: 3 “(c) The Office of Veterans Affairs shall establish a Veterans Council within its office. 4 The Veterans Council shall: 5 (1) serve in an advisory capacity to the Office of Veterans Affairs; 6 (2) make recommendations and provide guidance to the director of the Office of 7 Veterans Affair on the adequacy and delivery of programs and legislation addressing 8 veterans in the Territory; and 9 2 (3) act as a liaison between the Office of Veterans Affairs and all private entities 1 serving veterans in the Territory. 2 BILL SUMMARY 3 4 The bill amends title 3, chapter 1, section 8a of the Virgin Islands Code establishing a 5 Veterans Council to serve in an advisory capacity to the Office of Veterans Affairs as a liaison 6 between the Office of Veterans Affairs and all private or non-profit entities serving veterans in 7 the Territory. 8 BR23-0130/January 20, 2023/AA 9