1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to state government; creating the Veterans Health Care Advisory 
1.3 	Council; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 196.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. [196.30] VETERANS HEALTH CARE ADVISORY COUNCIL.
1.6 		Subdivision 1.Creation. The Veterans Health Care Advisory Council is established 
1.7 	to provide the Department of Veterans Affairs with advice and recommendations on 
1.8 	providing veterans with quality long-term care and the anticipated future needs of 
1.9 	Minnesota veterans. 
1.10 		Subd. 2.Membership.  (a) The council consists of nine public members appointed 
1.11 	by the governor. The council members are: 
1.12 	(1) seven members with extensive expertise in health care delivery, long-term care, 
1.13 	and veterans services;
1.14 	(2) one licensed clinician who may be either a physician, physician's assistant, or 
1.15 	a nurse practitioner; and
1.16 	(3) one additional member.
1.17 	(b) The governor shall designate a member to serve as the chair.
1.18 	(c) The commissioner of veterans affairs, or the commissioner's designee, is an ex 
1.19 	officio, non-voting member of the council and shall provide necessary and appropriate 
1.20 	administrative and technical support to the council.
1.21 	(d) Membership terms, removal of members, and the filling of vacancies are as 
1.22 	provided in section 15.059, subdivisions 2 and 4. Members shall not receive compensation 
1.23 	or per diem payments, but may receive reimbursement for expenses pursuant to section 
1.24 	15.059, subdivision 3.
2.1 		Subd. 3.Duties.  The council is an advisory group with the responsibility of 
2.2 	providing the commissioner of veterans affairs with information and professional expertise 
2.3 	on the delivery of quality long-term care to veterans. The council's duties include:
2.4 	(1) developing a new vision and strategic plan for the veterans homes that 
2.5 	complements the Department of Veterans Affairs overall veterans service programs;
2.6 	(2) providing recommendations and advice on matters including clinical 
2.7 	performance, systemwide quality improvement efforts, culture and working environment 
2.8 	of the veterans homes, and other operational and organizational functions of the veterans 
2.9 	homes;
2.10 	(3) studying and reviewing current issues and trends in the long-term care industry 
2.11 	and the veterans community;
2.12 	(4) providing recommendations to the commissioner on alternative options for the 
2.13 	delivery of long-term care to veterans so that veterans and their families can determine 
2.14 	appropriate services under models similar to those available in the community;
2.15 	(5) establishing, as appropriate, subcommittees or ad hoc task forces of council 
2.16 	members, stakeholders, and other individuals with expertise or experience to address 
2.17 	specific issues; and 
2.18 	(6) reviewing and providing advice on any other matter at the request of the 
2.19 	commissioner.
2.20 		Subd. 4.Continuation. To ensure continued accountability and the active 
2.21 	involvement of healthcare experts and stakeholders in the governance structure of the 
2.22 	veterans homes, the governor may appoint a panel of experts to review the continuing 
2.23 	effectiveness of the council.
2.24 		Subd. 5.Expiration. Notwithstanding section 15.059, subdivision 5, the council is 
2.25 	permanent and does not expire.

2.26 	Sec. 2. APPOINTMENTS.
 2.27 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 196.30, subdivision 2, paragraph (d), 
2.28 	the governor may make the initial appointments to the Veterans Health Care Advisory 
2.29 	Council under Executive Order 07-20 without complying with the appointment process in 
2.30 	Minnesota Statutes, section 15.0597.