365-A - New York state veterans' hall of fame; council.
§ 365-a. New York state veterans' hall of fame; council. There is hereby established the governing body of the veterans' hall of fame, to be known as the New York state veterans' hall of fame council. Such council will be established on or before September first, two thousand five. 1. The council shall consist of eighteen members, thirteen of whom shall be appointed as follows: five members to be appointed by the governor, three members to be appointed by the temporary president of the senate, one member to be appointed by the minority leader of the senate, three members to be appointed by the speaker of the assembly, and one member to be appointed by the minority leader of the assembly. Of the foregoing appointments, seven members shall be honorably discharged war-time veterans and active members of congressionally chartered veterans' organizations. Only one member per organization may be appointed during each term. In addition, two members shall be auxiliary members of a congressionally chartered veterans' organization. Only one member from each organization shall be appointed during each term. In addition to the foregoing thirteen appointed members, the following state officers, or their designees, shall serve as ex-officio members of the council: the adjutant general, the commissioner of general services, the director of the state museum, the director of the state archives, and the state director of the division of veterans' affairs. No appointed member shall be a member of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the state government at the time of his or her appointment. No member shall receive any compensation for his or her services, but members who are not state officials shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of their duties. State officers and employees shall be entitled to such reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as council members as otherwise provided by law or rules and regulations. 2. The council shall seek to coordinate with the superintendent of the United States military academy at West Point in the operation of the veterans' hall of fame. 3. Any honorably discharged veteran or ladies auxiliary member appointed to the following commissions, boards, or entities shall be ineligible to serve on the council during his or her tenure on such commission, board, or entity: (a) New York state veterans' affairs commission established pursuant to section three hundred fifty-two of this article; (b) New York state veterans' home board of visitors established pursuant to section twenty-six hundred thirty-one of the public health law and chapter four hundred two of the laws of nineteen hundred eighty-four; (c) New York state veterans' military heritage institute board of directors and board of advisors; (d) New York state military museum and veterans' research center; and (e) Interagency veterans' council created by the state director. 4. The members of the council shall serve terms of two years; provided, however, that of the members first appointed, the members appointed by the governor shall serve for terms of three years and the remaining members, appointed by the legislative leaders, shall serve for terms of two years. The council shall begin functioning upon the appointment of a majority of its members. The council shall elect its own chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary from among its members. The vice-chairperson shall represent the council in the absence of the chairperson at all official council functions.5. The council shall meet at least once per year and at the call of the chairperson or the vice-chairperson of the council. 6. Unless a member has been excused from attendance at such meetings by the chairperson or vice-chairperson upon good cause being shown, any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings shall be deemed to have resigned. Any vacancy on the council shall be filled for the remaining portion of the term of the member replaced. The appointment to fill such vacancy shall be made in the same manner as the original appointment was made. 7. All state agencies shall provide necessary technical and staff assistance to the council.