§ 71-8-3. Duties of executive director -- Services to veterans. (Effective 5/13/2014)

     The executive director shall:

(1) be responsible for the administration and the operation or support of the following veteran-related operations:

(a) Utah State Veterans' Nursing Homes and Programs;

(b) Utah State Veterans' Cemetery and Memorial Park;

(c) Title 71, Chapter 10, Veteran's Preference;

(d) any locally or federally funded programs for homeless veterans within the state; and

(e) any federally funded education services for veterans within the state;

(2) maintain liaison with local, state, and federal veterans' agencies and with Utah veterans' organizations;

(3) provide current information so that veterans, their surviving spouses and family members, and Utah veterans' organizations will be aware of benefits to which they are, or may become, entitled;

(4) reach out and assist veterans and their families in applying for benefits and services;

(5) develop and maintain a system for determining how many veterans are employed by the various government entities within the state and keeping track of them;

(6) cooperate with other state entities in the receipt of information to create and maintain a record of veterans in Utah;

(7) create and administer a veterans' assistance registry, with recommendations from the council, that will provide contact information to the qualified donors of materials and labor for certain qualified recipients;

(8) prepare an annual report for presentation not later than November 30 of each year to the Government Operations Interim Committee, which includes:

(a) all services provided to veterans;

(b) all services provided by third parties through the Veterans' Assistance Registry; and

(c) the coordination of veterans' services by government entities with the department;

(9) advise the governor on matters pertaining to military affairs throughout Utah, including active duty servicemembers, reserve duty servicemembers, and veterans;

(10) identify military-related issues, challenges, and opportunities, and develop plans for addressing them;

(11) develop, coordinate, and maintain relationships with military leaders of Utah military installations, including the Utah National Guard;

(12) develop, coordinate, and maintain relationships with Utah's congressional delegation and military staffers;

(13) develop and maintain relationships with military-related organizations in Utah;

(14) conduct forums and meetings with stakeholders to identify military issues and challenges and to develop solutions to them; and

(15) perform other related duties as requested by the governor.

Amended by Chapter 91, 2014 General Session