The Arkansas State Senate on Wednesday passed legislation to form a new task force on veterans affairs. SB4 is sponsored by Sen. Trent Garner (R – El Dorado). The task force would operate similar to the recent tax task force. According to Sen. Garner the task force would help veterans receive the services they need. Sen. Garner specifically pointed to the suicide rate among veterans. According to Garner 22 veterans die due by suicide each year.
The task force would include 28 members from the House and Senate. These would include the President Pro Tem of the Senate, a Senate Co-Chair, six senate members, speaker of the house, a house co-chair, and eighteen house members.
The task force would have authorization and funding to meet around the state to have town halls to hear from veterans. Garner is a veteran himself serving two tours in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a special forces Green Beret.
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