Department of Veterans and Military Affairs created -- Appointment of executive director -- Department responsibilities.
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(1) There is created the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs.
(2) The governor shall appoint an executive director for the department, after consultation with the Veterans Advisory Council, who is subject to Senate confirmation.
(a) The executive director shall be an individual who:
(i) has served on active duty in the armed forces for more than 180 consecutive days;
(ii) was a member of a reserve component who served in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized; or
(iii) incurred an actual service-related injury or disability in the line of duty, whether or not that person completed 180 consecutive days of active duty; and
(iv) was separated or retired under honorable conditions.
(b) Any veteran or veterans group may submit names to the council for consideration.
(3) The department shall:
(a) conduct and supervise all veteran activities as provided in this title;
(b) determine which campaign or combat theater awards are eligible for a special group license plate in accordance with Section 41-1a-418;
(c) verify that an applicant for a campaign or combat theater award special group license plate is qualified to receive it;
(d) provide an applicant that qualifies a form indicating the campaign or combat theater award special group license plate for which the applicant qualifies;
(e) adopt rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to carry out the provisions of this title; and
(f) ensure that any training or certification required of a public official or public employee, as those terms are defined in Section 63G-22-102, complies with Title 63G, Chapter 22, State Training and Certification Requirements, if the training or certification is required:
(i) under this title;
(ii) by the department; or
(iii) by an agency or division within the department.
(4)
(a) The department may award grants for the purpose of supporting veteran and military outreach, employment, education, healthcare, homelessness prevention, and recognition events.
(b) The department may award a grant described in Subsection (4)(a) to:
(i) an institution of higher education listed in Section 53B-1-102;
(ii) a nonprofit organization involved in veterans or military-related activities; or
(iii) a political subdivision of the state.
(c) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the department shall make rules for the administration of grants, including establishing:
(i) the form and process for submitting an application to the department;
(ii) the method and criteria for selecting a grant recipient;
(iii) the method and formula for determining a grant amount; and
(iv) the reporting requirements of a grant recipient.
(d) A grant may be awarded by the department only after consultation with the Veterans Advisory Council.
(5) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as altering or preempting the provisions of Title 39, Militia and Armories, as specifically related to the Utah National Guard.