Commission of veterans affairs

1. A commission of veterans affairs is created consisting of twelve persons who shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate. Members shall be appointed to staggered terms of four years beginning and ending as provided in section 69.19. The governor shall fill a vacancy for the unexpired portion of the term. In addition to the members appointed by the governor, the commandant shall serve as a nonvoting, ex officio member of the commission. 2. Eleven commissioners shall be honorably discharged members of the armed forces of the United States. The American legion, disabled American veterans, veterans of foreign wars, American veterans, the Vietnam veterans of America, the military order of the purple heart, the paralyzed veterans of America, the marine corps league, and the Iowa association of county commissioners and veteran service officers, through their department commanders, shall submit two names respectively from their organizations to the governor. The adjutant general and the Iowa affiliate of the reserve officers association may submit names to the governor of persons to represent the Iowa national guard and the reserve organization of America. The governor shall appoint from the group of names submitted by the adjutant general and reserve officers association two representatives and from each of the other organizations one representative to serve as a member of the commission, unless the appointments would conflict with the bipartisan provisions of section 4A.12. In addition, the governor shall appoint one member of the public, knowledgeable in the general field of veterans affairs, to serve on the commission. If an organization fails to submit a recommendation pursuant to this subsection, the governor may appoint any person to fill the vacancy. 3. a. The commissioners are entitled to receive reimbursement for actual expenses incurred while engaged in the performance of official duties. Each member of the commission may also be eligible to receive compensation as provided in section 7E.6. b. The commandant and employees of the department are entitled to receive, in addition to salary, reimbursement for actual expenses incurred while engaged in the performance of official duties. c. All out-of-state travel by commissioners shall be approved by the chairperson of the commission.