Date: 12/01/2015

Final
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs SMART Act Presentation

COMMITTEE ON JOINT STATE VETERANS & MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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11:38 AM -- Department of Military and Veterans Affairs SMART Act Presentation

Maj. Gen. H. Michael Edwards, Adjutant General of the State of Colorado, provided an overview of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). He introduced key staff members from the department. Committee members received a copy of DMVA's briefing (Attachment B). Gen. Edwards noted that the department has no legislative or regulatory agenda for 2016, nor any budget decision items. He discussed DMVA's three capital construction requests for Fiscal Year 2016-17.

15JtStateVetsSMARTAct1201AttachB.pdf15JtStateVetsSMARTAct1201AttachB.pdf

Gen. Edwards commented on DMVA's FY 16-17 budget request and its strategic policy initiatives. He discussed National Guard deployments in 2015 and 2016. He clarified these figures with Representative Ryden.


11:49 AM

Gen. Edwards described joint operations and emergency response conducted by the Colorado National Guard.

Gen. Edwards noted the federally funded construction projects currently underway in Colorado. He highlighted the Buckley P-4 initiative, which received $5 million of state funding.


11:59 AM

Gen. Edwards discussed future National Guard projects and ongoing National Guard family programs. He highlighted initiatives undertaken by the Division of Veterans Affairs.

Gen. Edwards discussed the work of the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs and the Civil Air Patrol. He also noted statewide military issues and trends.


12:10 PM

At Representative Ryden's request, Mickey Hunt, Deputy Director of DMVA, provided an overview of the Buckley P-4 project. He noted that the project is a partnership between the federal government, the state, Arapahoe County, and the city of Aurora. He explained that land surrounding Buckley Air Force Base will be preserved as open space through conservation easements.

Representative Primavera and Mr. Hunt discussed homeless veterans in Colorado. Dana Nimela, chair of the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs, came to the table to respond to this question. Representative Primavera continued to discuss data collection with Ms. Nimela.

Representative Ryden and Gen. Edwards discussed efforts to meet the mental health needs of National Guard members and their families.


12:19 PM

Representative Ryden and Mr. Hunt discussed implementation of changes to the county veterans' service officers program.


12:22 PM

No witnesses testified on the presentation.

The committee adjourned.