Bill Text - SB237 (2007)

(2nd New Title) establishing a commission on employment issues affecting veterans.


Revision: Jan. 11, 2010, midnight

CHAPTER 316

SB 237 – FINAL VERSION

04/05/07 1065s

06Jun2007… 1440h

06/14/07 2150eba

2007 SESSION

07-1169

09/05

SENATE BILL 237

AN ACT establishing a commission on employment issues affecting veterans.

SPONSORS: Sen. Kenney, Dist 3; Sen. Letourneau, Dist 19; Sen. Barnes, Dist 17; Sen. Roberge, Dist 9; Sen. Clegg, Dist 14; Rep. Weare, Rock 14; Rep. J. Thomas, Belk 5; Rep. Crane, Hills 21

COMMITTEE: Energy, Environment and Economic Development

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a commission on employment issues affecting veterans.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

04/05/07 1065s

06Jun2007… 1440h

06/14/07 2150eba

07-1169

09/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven

AN ACT establishing a commission on employment issues affecting veterans.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

316:1 Findings and Purpose.

I. The legislature finds that:

(a) The unemployment compensation and employment service programs of the New Hampshire department of employment security have assisted the unemployed and underemployed worker for 70 years. During that time the workplace has changed. Nationally, as well as locally, many veterans, especially young veterans between the ages of 18 and 24, are having difficulty finding and maintaining employment.

(b) In a continuously changing workforce, many veterans are especially at risk due to the difficulties adjusting to the differences between military and civilian employment.

II. The purpose of this act is to establish a commission to study methods of enhancing the unemployment compensation program to meet the needs of New Hampshire’s veterans. The commission shall also explore ways to promote full employment for underemployed veterans and seek solutions for other problems associated with veterans obtaining and maintaining employment.

316:2 Commission Established. There is established a commission to study employment issues affecting veterans.

316:3 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a) Two members of the senate, one of whom shall be a member of the commerce, labor, and consumer protection committee, appointed by the president of the senate.

(b) Two members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be a member of the state-federal relations and veterans affairs committee and one of whom shall be a member of the labor, industrial and rehabilitative services committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(c) The commissioner of the department of employment security, or designee.

(d) The labor commissioner, or designee.

(e) The commissioner of the department of resources and economic development, or designee.

(f) The commandant of the New Hampshire veterans’ home, or designee.

(g) One member of the state veterans’ advisory committee, appointed by the chairman.

(h) One representative of a labor union, appointed by the governor.

(i) One person representing the disability insurance industry, appointed by the governor.

(j) One person appointed by the New Hampshire state veterans council.

(k) One person appointed by the United States Department of Labor’s New Hampshire office of the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service.

(l) One person appointed by the New Hampshire Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve.

(m) One person appointed by the New Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars.

(n) One person appointed by the New Hampshire American Legion.

(o) One person appointed by Disabled American Veterans.

(p) One representative of New Hampshire Legal Assistance, appointed by the executive director.

(q) The chairperson of the Workforce Opportunity Council, or designee.

(r) A representative of the business community, appointed by the governor.

II. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

316:4 Duties. The commission shall study methods of enhancing the unemployment compensation program to meet the needs of New Hampshire veterans. The commission shall also explore ways to promote full employment for underemployed veterans and seek solutions for other problems associated with veterans obtaining and maintaining employment. For purposes of the commission’s study, “veteran” means current members and former members of the armed forces, national guard, and reserve units.

316:5 Chairperson. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.

316:6 Report. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation and other proposals to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, the members of the executive council, the commissioner of the department of employment security, and the state library. The first report shall be submitted on or before November 1, 2007, an interim report shall be submitted on or before November 1, 2008, and a final report shall be submitted on or before November 1, 2009.

316:7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: July 13, 2007

Effective: July 13, 2007