Senate Bill 2644

(COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 35-1-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE STATE VETERANS AFFAIRS BOARD SHALL BE A CURRENTLY SERVING MEMBER OR HONORABLY DISCHARGED OR RELEASED VETERAN OF ANY ACTIVE OR RESERVE COMPONENT BRANCH OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 35-1-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

35-1-3. The State Veterans Affairs Board shall appoint, to serve at the will and pleasure of the board, an executive director, (who shall also serve as Executive Secretary of the State Veterans Affairs Board), a deputy director, individuals to manage each of the agency's major functional areas and individuals to manage each of the state veterans homes. The executive director and deputy director shall be a currently serving member or honorably discharged or honorably released * * * ~~veterans~~ veteran of any active or reserve component branch of the Armed Forces of the United States. The board may establish additional minimum qualifications for agency positions.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.