Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Contested bill to add Executive Council oversight of adjutant general and veterans home commandant draws strong opposition
Summary
SB 425, which would require periodic reappointment of the Adjutant General and convert the Veterans Home commandant to a 4-year appointed position confirmed by the Governor and Council, prompted sustained opposition from the Adjutant General, the National Guard Association, the Veterans Home commandant and board, and veterans' groups, citing U.S. Code conflicts, politicization risks, and threats to resident stability.
A proposal to add executive-branch review and periodic reappointment for the Adjutant General and to make the New Hampshire Veterans Home commandant a Governor-and-Council-confirmed four-year appointment drew sustained, often emotional opposition when the Senate Executive Departments & Administration Committee heard SB 425 on Jan. 14.
Councilor Joe Kenny Wakefield, who asked a senator to file the bill, told the committee the measure is intended to add checks and balances: a five-year reappointment review for the Adjutant General and a statutory requirement that the Veterans Home commandant be appointed by the Governor and Council for four-year terms. "This is simply a good, executive branch checks and balances bill,"…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
