RELATES TO:

KRS 40.310, 40.560, 40.600

STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

KRS 40.600, 45A.097

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY:

KRS 40.600(1) establishes the Kentucky Women Veterans Program. KRS 40.600(5) requires the establishment of a Women Veterans Coordinating Committee. KRS 40.600(6) authorizes the program40.540 requires the department to promulgate administrative regulations required for the effective administration of KRS 40.310 through KRS 40.560. KRS 40.600 authorizes the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs to accept and expend moneys that may be appropriated by the General Assembly; and other monies received from any other source, including donations and grants. KRS 40.600(7) authorizes the Department of Veterans' Affairs to promulgate administrative regulations to implement KRS 40.600. KRS 45A.097 allows a governmental body to accept donations and gifts from persons or businesses to further the governmental body's mission or to benefit the Commonwealth. This administrative regulation establishes procedures for expenditures and fundraising by the Kentucky Women Veterans Program. It also establishes reporting requirements for the coordinating committee and other contributions from a government unit and authorizes the department to administer the funds through the use of agency accounts. KRS 40.600 requires the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs to manage the funds and authorize expenditures. This administrative regulation also establishes a coordinating committee to make recommendations for fund expenditures and outlines the administrative procedures of the coordinating committee.

1. Section 1. Definitions.

   1. (1) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs.
   2. (2) "Coordinating Committee" means the Women Veterans Program Coordinating Committee.
   3. (2) "KDVA" means the Kentucky Department of Veterans' Affairs.
   4. (3) "Fund" means the Kentucky Women Veterans Program Fund.
   5. (4) "Woman Veteran" means a woman who served in the United States Armed Forces or in forces incorporated as part of the United States Armed Forces, and who was discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.

2. Section 2. Expenditures and Fundraising.

   1. (1) Women Veterans Program funds shall be used solely for the purposes and functions described in KRS 40.600In accordance with this subsection and subsection (2) of this section, money appropriated from the fund shall be expended in support of the Women Veterans Program's activities or events that directly benefit women veterans, including the following activities or events:

      1. (a) Educational sessions or training seminars focused on eligibility requirements for women veterans seeking federal and state veterans' benefits and services;
      2. (b) Research projects focused on collecting and retaining demographic or service-connected disability data for Kentucky's women veterans;
      3. (c) Dissemination of benefit information for women veterans through circulars, brochures, social media, and other media outlets;
      4. (d) Annual meetings or conferences focused on engagement of Kentucky's women veterans and discussions of issues specific to women veterans;
      5. (e) Job fairs, job placement services, other similar programs, or a combination of these focused on employing women veterans;
      6. (f) Therapeutic opportunities focused on improving the mental and emotional wellbeing of Kentucky's women veterans;
      7. (g) Entrepreneurial opportunities for women veterans seeking to establish or expand female veteran-owned businesses;
      8. (h) Programs, memorials, monuments, and other projects that bring public recognition and awareness to the sacrifices, needs, and contributions of Kentucky's women veterans.
      9. (i) Other services designed to make gaining access to federal and state benefits and services more convenient, efficient, or feasible for Kentucky's women veterans.
      10. (j) Costs associated with the above, such as transportation, meals, lodging, and salaries.
   2. (2) Fundraising. If fundraising on behalf of the Women Veterans Program, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs may accept a gift, donation, or grant from an individual, a corporation, or a government entity, provided that the funds are not restricted to tax exempt organizations as defined by Title 26, Section 501(c) of the Internal Review Code.

   3. (3) The Women Veterans Coordinating Committee established in KRS 40.600(5) shall:

      1. (a) Prepare an annual report each fiscal year that:

         1. 1. Provides meeting minutes for each committee meeting;
         2. 2. Summarizes the recommendations made by the committee; and
         3. 3. Details financial expenditures undertaken on behalf of Kentucky's women veterans; and
      2. (b) Submit the annual report by July 20^th to be included in KDVA's Annual Report and posted on the Women Veterans Program page of KDVA's Web site.

3. Section 3. Coordinating Committee for the Women Veterans Program.

   1. (1) The committee shall consist of ten (10) members, including:

      1. (a) The commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs;
      2. (b) The women veterans program coordinator of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs;

      3. (c) Two (2) members from state government:

         1. 1. A Senator appointed by the President of the Kentucky Senate;
         2. 2. A Representative appointed by the Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives.
      4. (d) Two (2) members from public agencies that provide grants, benefits, or services to women veterans.
      5. (e) Four (4) members from private organizations that provide grants, benefits, or service to women veterans.

   2. (2) The commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs shall appoint the public agencies and private organizations represented on the committee.

      1. (a) A public agency and private organization specified in subsection (1)(d) and (e) of this section shall recommend two (2) members of the agency or organization to serve on to the committee.
      2. (b) The commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs shall appoint one (1) member from each agency and each organization from the names submitted by the agencies and organizations.
      3. (c) Where possible, at least seven (7) members of the coordinating committee shall be women veterans.

   3. (3) Terms of members. Except in cases of retirement, resignation, or other inability or unwillingness to serve, the initial appointments to the committee shall be as established in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection.

      1. (a) A member appointed pursuant to subsection (1)(c) of this section shall serve for a period of two (2) years.
      2. (b) A member appointed pursuant to subsection (1)(d) and (e) of this section shall serve for a period of three (3) years.

   4. (4) The committee shall:

      1. (a) Meet at the call of the commissioner of Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, at least once per quarter.

      2. (b) Make recommendations for fiscally responsible uses of funds donated, gifted, or designated to the Women Veterans Program, including:

         1. 1. Propose, investigate, and approve activities that support Kentucky's women veterans;
         2. 2. Establish guidelines for approved activities, including funding parameters.
      3. (c) Prepare meeting minutes that summarize each meeting, including recommendations made by the committee;
      4. (d) Prepare an annual report that summarizes recommendations made by the committee and financial activities undertaken on behalf of Kentucky's women veterans;
      5. (e) Submit an annual report by July 20th of each year to be included in the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs Annual Report.
   5. (5) The commissioner shall assign duties as appropriate to the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs' staff or members of the coordinating committee to assist with administration of the committee.
4. Section 4. Coordinating Committee Procedures. Coordinating committee procedures shall be in accordance with the approved by-laws of the Women Veterans Coordinating Committee.

FILED WITH LRC: June 11, 2024

CONTACT PERSON: Juan Renaud, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner, 1111 Louisville Rd., Suite B, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601; phone (502) 782-5721; fax (502) 564-9240; email juan.renaud@ky.gov.