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Jun Jun 1 2
  • In-Person Event

Military and Veterans Affairs Task Force | June 2023 Meeting

  • Thursday, June 1, 2023
    • In-Person Event
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Military and Veterans Affairs Task Force, U.S. Naval War College tourNCSL Military and Veterans Affairs Task Force in front of the U.S. Naval War College In Newport, RI - June 2023

The NCSL Military and Veterans Affairs Task Force met on June 1-2, 2023, in Providence, Rhode Island. The task force meeting and associated tours were in conjunction with NCSL’s Spring Executive Committee meeting at the Omni Providence Hotel. A walking tour of U.S. Naval War College and a tour of Naval Station in Newport, R.I. occurred on June 1. 

Sessions covered a variety of topics, including: 

  • Remarks from Foundation for State Legislatures Task Force Sponsors 
  • The Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program Overview  
  • Military Spouse Licensure Portability  
  • Update from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) at the U.S. Department of Defense 
  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline Update  
  • Veteran Workforce Update 
  • Task Force Planning for the next meeting held at the NCSL Legislative Summit, August 13, 2023, in Indianapolis, IN. 

The Task Force gratefully acknowledges the U.S. Department of Defense, Amazon, Bombardier, Maximus and the Nuclear Energy Institute for their support.

Thursday, June 1 (Tour) 

  

Breakfast  

8:00 a.m.  

Depart hotel and travel to Newport, R.I.  

Walking tour of U.S Naval War College, Newport, R.I.  

National security briefing  

Hands-on demonstrations and tour of Naval Station Newport 
 

5:00 p.m.  

Return to hotel  

Friday, June 2 

7:30 a.m.  

Breakfast Provided  

8:00 a.m.  

Opening Remarks   

Co-Chairs:   

  • Representative Tina Orwall, Washington   
  • Senator Bryce Reeves, Virginia  

Welcoming New Task Force Members  

Participant Introductions  

8:30 a.m.  

Spotlight on Military and Veterans Affairs in Rhode Island  
 
Presiding: Co-Chair Sen. Bryce Reeves, Virginia  

Speakers:   

  • Major General Christopher P. Callahan, The Adjutant General of Rhode Island 
  • Kasim Yarn, Director, Rhode Island Office of Veterans Services  

9:30 a.m.  

Break  

9:45 a.m.  

Remarks from Foundation for State Legislatures Task Force Sponsors  
 
Presiding: Co-Chair Rep. Tina Orwall, Washington 

Speakers: 

  • Amazon: Jeff Cleland, Sr. Manager, State Transportation Policy  
  • Bombardier: Dan Lubowitz, Director, State Government Affairs 
  • Maximus: Tony DeFalco, VP of International Services, Veterans Evaluation Services – a Maximus company | Presentation 
  • Nuclear Energy Institute: Christine Csizmadia, Sr. Director, State Government Affairs & Advocacy and Marc Nichol, Sr. Director, New Reactors. Topic: Military applications of new nuclear technology | Presentation 

10:45 a.m.  

REPI Program Overview   

The Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program was created by the 2003 National Defense Authorization Act and is authorized to enter into cost-sharing partnerships with states, local governments and non-profit organizations to acquire conservation easements and other land interests that create buffer areas around military installations. This session features a DoD specialist on noise issues.  
 
Presiding: Sen. Stephan Pappas, Wyoming 

Speaker: Erica Rohr, DoD Noise Program Director, Department of Defense, Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program | Presentation 
 
 

11:30 a.m.  

Military Spouse License Portability   

Relocating military spouses are benefiting from state legislative efforts to streamline occupational licensure requirements, thereby reducing delays and gaps in employment. This session will address a new section of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act that requires states to acknowledge portability of licensed occupations.    

Presiding: Rep. Mari Leavitt, Washington 

Speaker: Geraldine Valentino-Smith, Director, DoD State Liaison Office | Presentation 
 

12:15 p.m.  

Lunch Provided  

1:15 p.m.  

Task Force Member Roundtable  

Each task force member is invited to give a brief 3-minute overview of state legislation enacted in 2023 that addresses military and veterans issues. 

Facilitators: Co-Chairs Rep. Orwall and Sen. Reeves 

2:15 p.m.  

Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC), U.S. DoD, Update 

Presiding: Co-Chair Rep. Tina Orwall, Washington 

Speaker: Patricia Gray, Program Activity Lead – Compatible Use, OLDCC | Presentation 

2:45 p.m. 

Veteran Workforce Update 

Hear about an innovative approach to employing veterans from the founder of a veteran-owned engineering consultancy. 

Presiding: Sen. Larry Zikmund, South Dakota 

Speaker: Bill Leahy, Founder, Renaissance Reliability 
 

3:15 p.m. 

988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline Update 

Speaker: Co-Chair Rep. Tina Orwall, Washington | Presentation 
 

3:30 p.m.  

Task Force Planning for Legislative Summit, August 13-17, 2023, Indianapolis, IN 

Topics: 

  • Discussion of next Military and Veterans Affairs Task Force meeting on August 13, 2023.  
  • Planned plenary tribute to military veterans serving in state legislature, both elected and staff, and related military/veterans activities and sessions.  
  • Unveiling of custom designed NCSL commemorative coin to honor those who serve. 
  • Other Business 
  • Facilitators: Co-Chairs Rep. Orwall and Sen. Reeves 
  • Speakers: Jim Reed, Diana Noel and Gene Rose, NCSL 

4:30 p.m.  

Adjourn  

5:30 p.m.  

Reception at the Rhode Island State House 
Sponsors
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