[Adopted by Bill No. 93-69; amended in its entirety by Bill No. 11-47]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Art. XII, Advisory Council on Drug Abuse, adopted by Bill No. 78-3, was repealed by Bill No. 87-43. See now Art. VI, Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Council, of this chapter.
[Amended by Bill No. 21-011[1]]
There is hereby established a James V. "Capt'n Jim" McMahan Commission on Veterans' Affairs consisting of 13 members.
[1]
Editor's Note: This bill also amended the title of this article, which was formerly Commission on Veterans' Affairs.
A. 
The County Executive shall appoint the members of the James V. "Capt'n Jim" McMahan Commission on Veterans' Affairs subject to confirmation by the County Council, except for the member, appointed by the Council.
[Amended by Bill No. 21-011]
B. 
The County Executive shall appoint 8 members who are veterans and may be a member of a veterans' group such as the following:
(1) 
Vietnam Veterans of America;
(2) 
Navy-Marine Corps League;
(3) 
Disabled American Veterans;
(4) 
Veterans of Foreign Wars;
(5) 
Women's Army Corps Veterans Association;
(6) 
American Legion;
(7) 
Military Order of the Purple Heart;
(8) 
Military Officers Association of America; or
(9) 
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
C. 
The County Executive shall also appoint 4 members to represent the general public.
D. 
The County Council shall appoint 1 member to serve.
E. 
The County Executive shall designate the following as ex-officio members:
(1) 
The Garrison Commander of Aberdeen Proving Ground, or the Commander's designee;
(2) 
A representative from Harford Community College familiar with veterans' educational issues; and
(3) 
A representative from the Harford County Chamber of Commerce.
F. 
The term of each member shall be coterminous with that of the County Executive.
G. 
The County Executive shall designate the Chairperson, and the members shall designate the Vice-Chairperson and Secretary.
H. 
In the event an appointment is made to fill a vacancy before a term expires, the successor shall serve the rest of the unexpired term.
The duties of the Commission are:
A. 
To research, assemble, analyze and disseminate information and educational materials relating to activities and programs that will assist in meeting the needs of veterans and their families;
B. 
To institute and conduct educational and other programs, meetings and conferences to promote the rights and opportunities for veterans;
C. 
To advise the County Executive and County Council on the status of programs and services in the state and County related to the needs of veterans and their families; and
D. 
To assist in planning appropriate public acknowledgment of the contributions made by veterans and assist in planning commemoration activities recognizing the contributions made by veterans.
A. 
The County may provide staff support to the Commission.
B. 
The meetings of the Commission shall be called by the Chairperson. The Commission shall meet as often as necessary to perform its duties but not less than 9 times per year.
C. 
A member may be removed only for cause by the County Executive, subject to the approval of the County Council.
D. 
Any member missing three consecutive meetings shall be deemed to have terminated his or her membership on the Commission unless the Commission shall, by majority vote, excuse one or more of the absences.
E. 
The members shall receive no compensation for their service but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties.
The Commission shall adopt such regulations as deemed necessary to govern its procedures and business. Such regulations shall be adopted in accordance with Section 807 of the Charter of Harford County.
The Commission shall submit an annual report on its functions, activities and accomplishments to the County Executive and County Council and any other appropriate agency by July 1 of each year.
The Commission shall not engage in any advocacy activities at the state or federal levels unless approved by the County Executive.