An Act To Amend the Veterans' Services Laws
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 1612
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Sponsors: BEAULIEU, VALENTINO, FOWLE, GIFFORD, KINNEY, LONGSTAFF, SAUCIER, SCHNECK
Amends: 5 MRSA §12004-I, 37-B MRSA §508, 37-B MRSA §512-A

Legislative Document 
No. 1612 
H.P. 1184 
House of Representatives, December 30, 2013 
An Act To Amend the Veterans' Services Laws 
Submitted by the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management pursuant 
to Joint Rule 204. 
Received by the Clerk of the House on December 23, 2013.  Referred to the Committee on 
Veterans and Legal Affairs pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint 
Rule 401. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative BEAULIEU of Auburn. 
Cosponsored by Senator VALENTINO of York and 
Representatives: FOWLE of Vassalboro, GIFFORD of Lincoln, KINNEY of Limington, 
LONGSTAFF of Waterville, SAUCIER of Presque Isle, SCHNECK of Bangor. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§5-C is enacted to read: 
5-C.   
Sec. 2.  37-B MRSA §508, as amended by PL 2009, c. 406, §11, is further 
amended to read: 
§508.  Veteran service officers 
Veteran service officers shall serve, assist and advocate for all veterans.  A veteran 
service officer must be trained and conversant on the issues, benefits and definitions 
affecting all veterans, including atomic, Vietnam, Desert Storm and female veterans.  The 
bureau shall have at least one veteran service officer who specializes in female veterans' 
issues. 
Sec. 3.  37-B MRSA §512-A is enacted to read: 
§512-A.  Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery System Care Fund Advisory Board 
1.  Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery System Care Fund Advisory Board; 
establishment.  The Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery System Care Fund Advisory 
Board, as established by Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 5-C and referred to in this 
section as "the board," shall monitor, facilitate and provide recommendations for the 
administration, management and use of the Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery System 
Care Fund. 
2.  Members.  The board consists of the following 7 members appointed by the 
Commissioner of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management: 
A.  One member representing the interests of the Commissioner of Defense, Veterans 
and Emergency Management; 
B.  One member representing the interests of the Treasurer of State; 
C.  One member representing the interests of the American Legion or a successor 
organization; 
D.  One member representing the interests of the Veterans of Foreign Wars or a 
successor organization; 
E.  One member representing the interests of Disabled American Veterans or a 
successor organization; 
F.  One member representing the interests of American Veterans or a successor 
organization; and 
Defense, Veterans 
and Emergency 
Management 
Maine Veterans' 
Memorial Cemetery 
System Care Fund 
Advisory Board 
Expenses Only 
37-B MRSA §512-A 
G.  One member representing the interests of an organization that provides a forum 
for veterans' organizations to work together on behalf of veterans in the State. 
3.  Vacancies.  In the event of a vacancy on the board, the Commissioner of Defense, 
Veterans and Emergency Management shall appoint a new member to fill the vacancy 
until the expiration of the term.  A vacancy on the board must be filled in the same 
manner as the original appointment was made under subsection 2. 
4.  Terms.  Members of the board are appointed for 3-year terms. 
5.  Removal.  The Commissioner of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management 
may remove a member of the board for cause. 
6.  Voting; quorum.  A quorum consists of 5 members of the board.  Each member 
has one vote.  A recommendation may not be approved by the board without at least 3 
affirmative votes. 
7.  Board proceedings.  The board shall meet not less than annually at a date and 
time set by the director.  The director shall prepare the agenda and prepare and keep a 
summarized record of meetings.  The board may not make binding decisions but shall 
vote on recommendations.  The director shall be present at the meetings to facilitate the 
meetings.  The director does not have a vote. 
Sec. 4.  Staggered terms.  Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 
37-B, section 512-A, subsection 4, of the initial members of the Maine Veterans' 
Memorial Cemetery System Care Fund Advisory Board, the Commissioner of Defense, 
Veterans and Emergency Management shall designate 2 appointees to serve for one-year 
terms, 2 appointees to serve for 2-year terms and 3 appointees to serve for 3-year terms. 
SUMMARY 
This bill requires that the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency 
Management, Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services have at least one veteran service 
officer who specializes in female veterans' issues. 
The bill also establishes the Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery System Care Fund 
Advisory Board.