Section 1702-A.1. Veterans' Trust Fund Board.
(a) Establishment of board.--The Veterans' Trust Fund Board is established as an advisory board within the department. The following shall apply:
(1) The purpose of the board is to increase donations to the fund, provide for the effective management of the fund and effectuate an equitable and broad distribution of money in the fund.
(2) The board shall have the following duties:
(i) Advise the department on the priorities of the Veterans' Trust Fund grants.
(ii) Review Veterans' Trust Fund grant applications.
(iii) Raise public awareness of the fund to encourage donations and organization participation.
(iv) Review fund audits and reports and recommend performance audit metrics in consultation with the Auditor General to be utilized and implemented by organizations receiving Veterans' Trust Fund grants.
(v) Recommend legislative or policy changes necessary to enhance the fund and the distribution of money from the fund.
(3) The duties of the board under paragraph (2) relating to grants shall not apply to funds distributed under 51 Pa.C.S. Ch. 85 (relating to veterans' temporary assistance).
(4) Members of the board shall be veterans, family members of veterans or individuals who have experience in serving veterans. In determining who to appoint to the board, consideration shall be given to subject matter experts in veterans issues regarding behavioral health, mental health, posttraumatic stress disorder injuries, physical disabilities, employment, housing or other social determinants of health. The board shall consist of the following:
(i) The Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs or a designee, who shall serve ex officio.
(ii) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the Senate, or their designees, who shall serve ex officio and in an advisory role.
(iii) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the House of Representatives, or their designees, who shall serve ex officio and in an advisory role.
(iv) Two members of the State Veterans' Commission recommended by the chairperson of the State Veterans' Commission and appointed by the Governor.
(v) One member recommended by the Adjutant General from each of the PA VETConnect Program regions or any successor regions and appointed by the Governor.
(5) Except as provided under this paragraph, members appointed by the Governor to the board shall serve a term of four years and until a successor has been appointed. The initial members appointed by the Governor to the board shall serve terms as follows as determined by the Governor:
(i) Two members shall serve a term of one year.
(ii) Two members shall serve a term of two years.
(iii) Two members shall serve a term of three years.
(iv) One member shall serve a term of four years.
(6) Upon recommendation from the Adjutant General, the Governor may remove a member appointed by the Governor to the board if the member fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the board without good cause. The Governor shall fill the vacancy created under this paragraph for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(7) The board shall annually elect a chairperson and vice chairperson at the first meeting commencing no later than March 31, 2027. The department shall designate an executive secretary to the board.
(8) Members of the board shall receive no compensation for their services but shall receive reimbursement for their necessary and proper expenses incurred in executing their duties as members of the board.
(9) The board shall meet upon the call of the chairperson or the Deputy Adjutant General of Veterans' Affairs. Four members of the board shall constitute a quorum.
(10) Except for the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs, members of the board may not be current employees of the department.
(b) Audit.--By July 31, 2028, and every three years thereafter, the Auditor General shall submit a performance audit of the fund to the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the Senate and the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the House of Representatives. The performance audit shall be conducted in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards and examine the impacts on veterans by organizations funded through the fund.
(c) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Board." The Veterans' Trust Fund Board established under subsection (a).
"Department." The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs of the Commonwealth.
"Fund." The Veterans' Trust Fund established under section 1701-A.1.
(1702-A.1 added July 12, 2026, P.L.265, No.21)