Committee OKs ex officio veterans representatives for University and community college boards

The committee passed Senate File 31 to create nonvoting ex officio veterans representatives on two higher-education governance bodies: the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees and the Wyoming Community College Commission.

Under the bill as explained by Lieutenant Colonel Karen Henkel and the Military Department, the Veterans Commission will recommend members of the public who represent veterans and veterans services for gubernatorial appointment as ex officio nonvoting members. The language amends statutes governing the Board of Trustees and the Community College Commission (statutory citations in the bill) and adds a provision requiring the Veterans Commission to make recommendations for those appointments.

Committee members discussed whether the bill intends a single person to serve on both boards or separate people on each body. Tim Shepherd, director of the Veterans Commission, said his understanding was that a single individual could serve as liaison across bodies to consolidate efforts but left appointment decisions to the governor. Bill Winnie, a public commenter, urged adding veteran perspectives to boards and suggested multiple veteran representatives could be beneficial.

Senator Anderson moved the bill; Senator Cooper seconded. Roll-call votes recorded Senators Anderson, Brennan, Cooper and Chairman Pappas as voting aye; Senator Kolb excused. The committee recorded 4 ayes, 1 excused and advanced the bill to the Senate floor. The bill requires the Veterans Commission to submit recommended appointees to the governor; the governor retains appointment authority.