2019 Veterans Legislative Summits

By Chuck N. Baker and Terri Hendry
The Nevada Department of Veterans Services, in partnership with the United Veterans Legislative Council (UVLC) held its Veterans Legislative Summit in January. The Veterans Legislative Summit provides the opportunity to learn:

• How to contact and talk with your Nevada State Representative
• What legislation is propised that matters to veterans and their families
• How to get involved and track bills of concern to veterans in the upcoming 2019 Session of the Nevada Legislature

The Summit is held in the years lawmakers are in session and provides the opportunity to summarize the information gathered in an event held the year prior, the Veterans Legislative Symposia. Symposia are held in the “off years,” when the Nevada Legislature is not in session. It provides the opportunity for participants to identify and prioritize issues important to veterans and their families for legislative consideration. Like the Symposia, the Summit is held in both Las Vegas and Reno to gather input from across Nevada.

The UVLC helps brings together State and national veterans organizations, as well as individual veteran supporters, and helps serve as a central “voice" for the veterans community in Nevada.

At both Summits, the morning warmed up with coffee and sweet nibbles. At the Las Vegas Summit, the Disabled American Veterans, Black Mountain Chapter #12, Henderson and the Sunrise Mountain Chapter #13, Las Vegas, picked up the tab at the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System auditorium.

In Reno, donations made by the Disabled American Veterans Chapter #1, Reno and Dunkin’ Donuts in Sparks provided the coffee and donut holes.

At both events, UVLC Chairman Tony Yarbrough explained that it is written in the group’s constitution to partner with the State’s Veterans Services department. “We have the power to move beyond what [Veterans Services] can do,” he said. “We talk issues, not  politics … it doesn’t matter what party you’re in.” He also encouraged veterans to become official unpaid lobbyists and promote veterans legislation in Carson City.

In addition to all the representatives from Nevada’s Congressional delegation, State lawmakers attending one of the Summits included Assembly members Chris Edwards, Teresa Benitez-Thompson, and Jim Wheeler, as well as Senators Joseph Hardy and Julia Ratti.

Governor Steve Sisolak’s Legislative Director Keith J.D. Hightower said the Governor is supportive of the veterans community. He is ensuring that Sisolak is being “brought up to speed” on all bills inherited from past Governor Brian Sandoval’s administration.

To stay up-to-date on proposed legislation of interest to veterans and their families, visit: veterans.nv.gov and click on the Nevada Legislative Information tab on the front page.