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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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NCSL’s Task Force on Military and Veterans Affairs meeting and tours, June 1-2, 2023. The task force meeting and associated tours are in conjunction with NCSL’s Spring Executive Committee meeting at the Omni Providence Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island.

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 (on your own) 

8:00 a.m. 

Depart hotel and travel to Newport, R.I. 

Walking tour of U.S Naval War College, Newport, R.I. (Security clearance form required from each participant.) Separate agenda to be provided. 

National security briefing 

Lunch Provided (Galley or Officer’s Club) 

Hands-on demonstrations and tour of Naval Station Newport. Separate agenda to be provided. 

5:00 p.m. 

Return to hotel 

Friday, June 2

Omni Providence, Room Narragansett B 

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: Rhode Island  

Speakers:  

  • Major General Christopher P. Callahan, Adjutant General (to be invited) 
  • Kasim Yarn, Director, Office of Veterans Services (to be invited) 

9:30 a.m. 

Break 

9:45 a.m. 

Remarks from Foundation for State Legislatures Task Force Sponsors 

  • Amazon, Jeff Cleland, State Transportation Public Policy 
  • Bombardier, speaker TBD 
  • Maximus, speaker TBD 
  • Nuclear Energy Institute: Christine Csizmadia, Senior Director, State Government Affairs & Advocacy and Marc Nichol, Senior Director, New Reactors
    • Topic: Military applications of advanced nuclear technology. 

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 cost-sharing partnerships with states, local governments and nongovernmental organizations to acquire conservation easements and other land interests that create buffer areas around military installations. Hear from the REPI director about ongoing initiatives across the nation. 

Speakers: Kristin Thomasgard, Director, DoD Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program (invited) 

Erica Rohr, DoD Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program (Invited) 

11:30 a.m. 

Military Spouse Licensure Portability  

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

Speaker: Geraldine Valentino-Smith, Director, Defense-State Liaison Office (Invited) 

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 veteran's issues. 

2:15 p.m. 

Additional Sessions 

  • Update from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC), Department of Defense 
  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline Update  
  • Veteran Workforce Update - Renaissance Reliability – Veteran Owned Engineering Consultancy, Bill Leahy, Founding Member (Invited) 

3:15 p.m. 

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

  • Discussion of next Military and Veterans Affairs Task Force meeting  
  • Planned plenary tribute to military veterans serving in state legislatures and related military/veteran activities and sessions. 
  • Other Business 

4:30 p.m. 

Adjourn 

6:00 p.m. 

Reception 

Next meeting of the Task Force is August 13, 2023, as part of the NCSL Legislative Summit, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Travel Reimbursement for Task Force Members

After the meeting, NCSL will provide task force members with reimbursement of up to $1,000 (with receipts), to attend the meeting and associated tours of the Task Force on Military and Veterans Affairs. 

  • Participants should attend relevant meetings and tours to receive full reimbursement.  
  • Prior to the meeting, review expense reimbursement guidelines and save your receipts for reimbursement. A reimbursement form will be sent to those who register. 

Hotel

Omni Providence Hotel 
1 West Exchange Street | Providence, Rhode Island | 02903 
P: 401-598-8000 

Click here to make your hotel reservations at the Omni Providence Hotel.  

  • All attendees are responsible for making their lodging arrangements.  
  • A room rate of $189/night has been reserved for Executive Committee and task force members. 
  • Please make your hotel reservations by May 8, 2023. After that date, the room rate cannot be guaranteed. 

Air Travel

Providence Airport (PVD) is the main international airport of Rhode Island, located in Warwick, RI (6 miles from Providence) and has a single terminal. 

  • Note—seat upgrades are not eligible for reimbursement.  

Travel Considerations 

  • A draft agenda is attached (subject to minor changes) so you can book your air travel. 
  • Plan your arrival in Providence on Wednesday, May 31 for task force tours on June 1.  
  • Task force members should attend the tours of the U.S. Naval War College and Naval Station Newport on Thursday, June 1, departing after breakfast as a group from the Omni Providence Hotel.  
  • The task force meeting will be held on Friday, June 2 at the Omni Providence Hotel. (~9 a.m.-5 p.m.) 
  • NCSL will hold receptions which task force members are invited to on Friday, June 2 (6-8 p.m.) and Saturday, June 3 (5-7 p.m.).  
  • Please schedule your departure in accordance with your schedule and if you plan to attend any NCSL evening receptions.  

Ground Travel

All attendees are responsible for making ground transportation arrangements to and from Providence Airport (PVD) (which is approximately 10 miles from the hotel) or any other area airports.  

  • For information on ground transportation from PVD, click here.
  • Ridesharing companies are available and authorized to work in the airport facilities.  
  • Taxicabs are located outside the Arrivals area, in the ground transportation area. 
    • Fares to downtown Providence are approximately $35. 
    • To take a taxi from Providence Airport, Airport Taxi is the official company at the airport.  
    • For more information you can reach Airport Taxi at: 401-737-2868. 
    • Best Taxi (401-536-9961) is also available at the airport.  
  • Providence Airport Bus information.  
    • The cost for a one-way ticket is $2. 
  • Providence Airport Train information. 
    • The airport is well connected by train with Providence city center and other destinations. 
    • The train trip to the city center is very affordable and takes 30 minutes. 

Attire

Business professional or business casual attire is recommended.  

  • Bring a light jacket or sweater as hotel temperatures and the weather may be unpredictable.  
  • Please wear closed toe walking shoes for the tours on Thursday, June 1. 

Health and Safety Protocols

The health and safety of meeting attendees is NCSL’s top priority.  

  • If you experience signs or symptoms of sickness before traveling, please stay home.  
  • If you develop symptoms of sickness while attending the meeting, please do not attend the tours or meeting sessions and call or text Jim Reed with NCSL at 720-226-6421. 

Register by Friday, May 8

Register Now

  • There are no fees to register.  
  • If you must cancel your registration, contact Jim Reed no later than Monday, May 22. 
  • A security clearance form will be sent upon registration if you are participating in the tour. 
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