Description of Organization

PURPOSE: This rule indicates the number of commissioners serving as members of the Missouri Veterans Commission, the number of commissioners required for a quorum to exist, and the ratification of emergency actions by the executive director for scheduled commission meetings. (1) Definition. The terms used in 11 CSR 85-1 will be given the same meaning as set forth in Chapter 42, RSMo, as amended. (2) Commission. The commission has nine (9) members. In addition, the chair of the Missouri Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission (or the chair’s designee) is an ex officio member of the commission. The ex officio member serves a term that is coextensive with that of the term of the chair of the Missouri Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission. The ex officio member shall be allowed to attend and participate in any open meeting discussions of the commission, but shall not be allowed to hold office, vote, or make a motion on any matter coming before the commission. Members of the commission and the ex officio member shall not be compensated for their services, but they shall be reimbursed from funds appropriated therefore for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. (3) Organization. The commission operates the following: Veterans Services Program, Missouri Veterans Homes Program, and Missouri Veterans Cemeteries Program. The commission carries out its programs through the following major administrative units: (A) Central office that advocates, guides, plans, and supports the success of commission programs; (B) Veterans Services Program ensures that Veterans and dependents in Missouri are informed about Veterans benefits; (C) Veterans Homes Program provides skilled nursing care for eligible Veterans in Missouri; and (D) Veterans Cemeteries Program provides for the interment of eligible Veterans in Missouri and their dependents. (4) Executive Director. The commission appoints an executive director who executes the duties vested in the commission and supervises all staff. The executive director serves as secretary at regular and special meetings of the commission. The executive director manages the Veterans programs outlined in section (3) of this rule. (5) Action by Commission. The performance of any duty or the exercise of any authority of the commission shall be done in the following manner: (A) Meetings. The commission shall meet at least once each quarter and all meetings are open to the public. The location and time of meetings are determined by the commissioners and are posted with the Office of Administration’s state government meeting notices. All regular and special meetings are held pursuant to the applicable laws of Missouri. Meetings may be held in person, by telephone, or by video conferencing; (B) Quorum. Five (5) commissioners constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The ex officio member shall not be included for the purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. No business shall be transacted without a quorum; (C) Voting. Any action shall be adopted if it receives a majority of votes cast with a quorum being present in person, by telephone, or by video conferencing. If any commissioner is present but does not vote, the abstention shall not be counted as a vote. Unless the vote is unanimous, the secretary shall indicate in the minutes how each commissioner voted; (D) Officers. The commission shall elect a chairman and vice chairman to serve a term of two (2) years. These officers will hold office until their successors are elected; (E) Emergency Matters. The executive director is authorized to act for the commission in emergency matters, subject to ratification by the commission at the next scheduled meeting; and (F) Conduct of Meetings. The chairman shall conduct the meetings and be the presiding officer of the commission. The chairman shall recognize the different members for the purpose of having the floor to speak, to state and put actions to vote, and shall rule on all points of order. The chairman may not make a motion, but may second any motion on the floor and may vote on any issue before the body. In the absence of the chairman, the vice chairman shall assume the duties of the chairman. The secretary shall prepare all minutes of the commission. Minutes of the previous meeting will be voted on at the next regular or special meeting of the commission, and, following approval, the secretary shall sign and archive the minutes. AUTHORITY: sections 42.007 and 536.023(3), RSMo Supp. 2013, and section 42.012, RSMo 2000.* This rule was previously filed as 13 CSR 100-1.010. Original rule filed Dec. 29, 1975, effective Jan. 9, 1976. Rescinded and readopted: Filed March 22, 1990, effective June 28, 1990. Amended: Filed Jan. 7, 2009, effective July 30, 2009. Amended: Filed June 11, 2013, effective Dec. 30, 2013. *Original authority: 42.007, RSMo 1989, amended 1996, 2008, 2009; 42.012, RSMo 1989, amended 1998; and 536.023, RSMo 1975, amended 1976, 1997, 2004.