I, Tony Knowles, Governor of the State of Alaska, under the authority of art. III, secs. 1 and 24 of the Alaska Constitution and AS 44.19.145(c), establish the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council.

The purpose of the council is to advise the Office of Veterans Affairs, Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), on ways to better address the needs and concerns of Alaska's veterans, their dependents, and survivors.

The council will be responsible for making recommendations to the State Coordinator of Veterans' Affairs in DMVA on priority service needs, developing public and private partnerships to meet those needs, improving recognition of Alaska's veterans, and providing coordination of information regarding veterans' benefits and services around the state.

The council may hold meetings, and establish committees as appropriate to carry out its duties. To reduce costs, the council should primarily use teleconferencing or other electronic means to the extent practicable in order to gain the widest public participation at minimum costs.

Council members are appointed by the Governor and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The council consists of not more than 20 members, to include persons from veterans' organizations, persons from selected state agencies that manage programs affecting veterans; and persons from the general public who are familiar with veterans' issues. The board will elect a chair from among its nonstate agency members.

The term of a council member who is not a state employee is three years, except initial terms of council members may be for less than three years to allow for staggering of terms.

A vacancy on the Council will be filled by appointment by the Governor. A member appointed to fill a vacancy serves for the unexpired term of the member whose vacancy is filled. A vacancy does not affect the power of the remaining members to execute the duties of the council.

Council members do not receive compensation as a member of the council. Council members who are not state employees may receive standard per diem and travel reimbursement in the same manner permitted for members of other state boards and commissions.

Meetings of the council may occur once per quarter or at the call of the chair. A quorum of the council must be present at a council meeting, in order for the council to conduct business, and a majority of the council constitutes a quorum for the purposes of conducting business. Meetings of the council shall be conducted in accordance with AS 44.62.310 (Open Meetings Law). The council shall keep a record of its meetings.

The Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA) shall serve as lead contact agency for the council, and shall provide administrative support necessary for the council to carry out its duties under this order. The council is an advisory body, and has no supervisory authority over DMVA staff. In accordance with law, DMVA may enter into intergovernmental agreements necessary to accomplish the purposes of this order.

This order takes effect immediately.

Dated at Juneau, Alaska, this 3 day of July, 1996.

S/S Tony Knowles     
Tony Knowles         
Governor