GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 591

Short Title:  Veterans Cemeteries Trustees.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Grady; Cansler, Davis, Hurley, Kinney, McAllister, Morris, Nesbitt, Nye, Preston, Sherrill, Smith, Teague, Tucker, Walend, Warner, Warwick, and Yongue.

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Referred to:  Military, Veterans and Indian Affairs.

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March 25, 1999

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR EACH OF THE THREE STATE VETERANS CEMETERIES.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Article 8A of Chapter 65 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 65-44. Veterans Cemeteries Boards of Trustees.
(a)	Establishment of Boards of Trustees; Powers and Duties. –  There is established a Board of Trustees for each State Veterans Cemetery.  The Board shall have the following powers and duties:
(1)	Advise and consult with the Superintendent of the Veterans Cemetery on matters relating to the administration of this Article.
(2)	Report to the Superintendent any public concerns regarding limitations and problems associated with existing laws, regulations, and services related to this Article.
The Board shall prepare a report on a quarterly basis of its activities and any issues identified by the Board that may need to be addressed.  If the report is approved by a majority vote of its members, the Board shall forward the report to the Secretary of the Department of Administration.
(b)	Composition and Terms. –  The Board of Trustees established by this section shall consist of nine members who shall be appointed by the Governor and who shall serve three-year terms, except as provided in subsection (c) of this section.
(c)	The initial Board members shall be appointed on or before October 1, 1999, as follows:
(1)	Two members who are engaged in the practice of funeral service as defined in Article 13A of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes, one of whom shall serve a two-year term and one of whom shall serve a three-year term.
(2)	Three members who are the spouse, widow, or child of a qualified veteran as defined in G.S. 65-43.1(3), one of whom shall serve a three-year term, one of whom shall serve a two-year term, and one of whom shall serve a one-year term.
(3)	Three members who are members of national veterans organizations, one of whom shall shall serve a three-year term, one of whom shall shall serve a two-year term, and one of whom shall serve a one-year term.
(4)	One public member who shall serve a one-year term.
Upon the expiration of the terms of the initial Board members, each member shall be appointed for a term of three years and shall serve until a successor is appointed.  No member may serve more than two consecutive three-year terms.
(d)	Vacancies. – A vacancy shall be filled by a person of like qualifications.  Appointees to fill vacancies shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term and until their successors have been duly appointed and qualified.
(e)	Removal. – The Board may remove any of its members for neglect of duty, incompetence, or unprofessional conduct.
(f)	Compensation. –  Members of the Board shall receive no compensation.
(g)	Officers. – The officers of the Board shall be a chair, a vice-chair, and other officers deemed necessary by the Board to carry out the purposes of this section.  All officers shall be elected annually by the Board for one-year terms and shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified.
(h)	Meetings; Clerical Staff. –  The Board shall meet at least quarterly each year to conduct business.  All meetings shall be open to the public.  A majority of Board members shall constitute a quorum.  Clerical and other services required by the Board shall be supplied by the Superintendent of the Veterans Cemetery."
Section 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.