Military and Veterans Affairs Task Force Meeting | Aug.13, 2023 | Indianapolis, Indiana

Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023

8:30 a.m.

NCSL Military and Veterans Affairs Task Force Convenes

• Opening Remarks by Task Force Co-Chairs

  • Rep. Tina Orwall, Washington and Sen. Bryce Reeves, Virginia

• Pledge of Allegiance – Rep. Orwall

• Participant introductions around the table and the room – Sen. Reeves

• NCSL Update: Announcing a new NCSL publication – Mission Ready: State Policy Options to Sustain Military Installations – Jim Reed, NCSL

8:55 a.m.

Spotlight on Military and Veterans Affairs in Indiana

Presiding: Co-Chair Sen. Bryce Reeves, Virginia

Speakers:

• Major General R. Dale Lyles, the Adjutant General of Indiana

• Gabrielle Owens, General Counsel and Legislative Director, Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs | Presentation

9:45 a.m.

Short Break

9:55 a.m.

Suicide Prevention Policy Initiatives

This session focuses two national initiatives:

• The Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF), in which 54 states and territories and 19 communities are developing and implementing the suicide prevention best practices; and

• Implementation of the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Presiding: Co-Chair Rep. Tina Orwall, Washington

Speakers:

• Dr. Richard McKeon, Senior Advisor in the SAMHSA 988 and Crisis Office, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

• Dr. Larry Pruitt, Director of Suicide Prevention Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Puget Sound Healthcare System | Presentation

• Dr. Kathleen Metro, Director, Military and Veterans Programs, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Vibrant Emotional Health

• Ryan Seymour, U.S. Army Veteran and Program Manager for Standards, Training and Practices, Veterans Crisis Line (VCL), Vibrant Emotional Health

Respondent:

• Chris Marvin, U.S. Army Veteran and Engagement Specialist, Everytown for Gun Safety

11:15 a.m.

Juvenile Justice on Base: Improving Access to Juvenile Justice on Military Installations

Exclusive federal jurisdiction on military installations can send juveniles through an adult judicial system. Access to state juvenile and family courts may allow for more suitable outcomes. This session will examine how state lawmakers can remove these barriers and pursue solutions that support military families.

Presiding: Rep. Mari Leavitt, Washington

Introduction of speakers: Tammie Perreault and Shane Preston, Defense State Liaison Office, U.S. Department of Defense

Speakers:

• John Sullivan, Concurrent Jurisdiction Project Director & Associate Director for Defense & Security, Guidehouse Consultancy 
• Lori Volkman, Concurrent Jurisdiction Legal Director, Guidehouse Consultancy, & Director, Vetrics Group, LLC | Presentation

NCSL Resources:

• Anne Teigen, Associate Director of the Criminal and Civil Justice Program | Document

1:00 p.m.

Briefing on the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) database entitled All State and Territory Benefits Analysis Database

Hear about the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) database of benefits for veterans on 30 topics including education, employment housing, veterans’ homes, taxes, spouse portable licensing and dozens more.

Presiding: Sen. Larry Zikmund, South Dakota

Speaker: Allen Dow, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency

1:20 p.m.

Task Force Member and Sponsor Roundtable

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

• Task force members and sponsors are invited to give a brief, 3-minute overview of state legislative initiatives for the 2024 sessions addressing military and veterans’ issues.

• Bombardier Defense | Presentation 

2:45 p.m.

Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape

Sentinel landscapes are areas where conservation, working lands, and national defense interests converge. This session will focus on the creation of the vast Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape by the efforts of 25 partners, anchored by four DoD installations and ranges and containing 45 designated parks, forests, fish and wildlife areas, and nature preserves. The landscape partnership preserves and protects military mission readiness, operations, testing and training capabilities, while also supporting agricultural lands, providing for watershed protections, restoring forests through sustainable land management and protections, and assisting habitat preservation.

Presiding: Sen. Scott Kawasaki, Alaska

Speaker: Rob McCrea, Landscape Conservation Attorney, The Conservation Law Center, Bloomington, Indiana | Presentation

3:30 p.m.

Briefing on Defense Support of Civil Authorities

When requested, the U.S. Department of Defense provides support to civil authorities through the Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) program during emergencies. Capabilities provided include aviation lift, search and rescue or extraction, quartermaster (food, shelter, potable water, heated tents, etc.), civil affairs and public information, and engineer capability. Hear about recent deployments.

Presiding: Jim Reed, Director & Staff to Military and Veterans Affairs Task Force, NCSL

Speaker: Alicia Natwick, Major, U.S. Army Reserve and Program Coordinator, NCSL | Presentation

4:00 p.m.

Review Plan for Veterans Tribute on Tuesday, August 15, 7:30 – 10:15 am

• Briefing on breakfast and planned plenary tribute to military veterans serving in state legislature, both elected and staff, and related military/veterans' activities and sessions.

• Review run of show and plan for distribution of custom designed NCSL commemorative coin to honor those who serve.

• Speaker: Jim Reed, NCSL

Other Business

4:30 p.m.

Adjourn