Legislative Audit Committee. Under current law, the division of
veterans affairs (division) in the department of military and veterans affairs has a duty to supervise county veterans service offices (county offices). The bill changes the division's duty to instead monitor county offices.
The bill changes procedures for the division's payment to counties for the performance of certain veterans services.
The bill adds state certification and United States accreditation
requirements in order for a county veterans service officer to be eligible to serve as a claimant's representative and to assist a veteran claimant with the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a claim for a United States department of veterans affairs benefit.
Current law requires a board of county commissioners to appoint
a county veterans service officer or officers. The bill qualifies that the appointment of a county veteran service officer is on an as-necessary basis.
