SECTION 1.  Chapter 3 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

“Section 68.  (a) There shall be a permanent commission, to be known as the Massachusetts veterans’ hall of fame council, consisting of 20 persons as follows: five persons appointed by the governor, three persons to be appointed by the president of the senate, two persons to be appointed by the minority leader of the senate, three persons to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, two persons to be appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives and five persons to be appointed by the secretary of the department of veterans’ services.  A majority of the members shall be honorably discharged war-time veterans.

(b)  Members of the council shall serve terms of 2 years and until their successors are appointed.  Vacancies in the membership of the council shall be filled by the original appointing authority for the balance of the unexpired term.  Members shall be eligible for reappointment.

(c)  The secretary of veterans’ services shall serve as executive director of the Massachusetts veterans’ hall of fame, established under section 14A of chapter 8.

(d)  The council shall elect from among its members a chair, vice chair, a treasurer and any other officers it considers necessary.  The members of the council shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for any usual and customary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. 

(e)  The council shall be responsible for the administration of the Massachusetts veterans’ hall of fame, established under section 14A of chapter 8.  In furtherance of that responsibility, the council shall promulgate rules and regulations for nominating and inducting persons into the Massachusetts veterans’ hall of fame; provided, that all nominees shall be an honorably discharged veteran and a resident of the commonwealth.

(f)  The council may request from all state agencies such information and assistance as the commission may require.

(g)  The council may accept and solicit funds, including any gifts, donations, grants or bequests or any state or federal funds for the purposes of this section.  These funds shall be deposited in a separate account with the state treasurer, be received by said treasurer on behalf of the commonwealth, and be expended by the council in accordance with law.   

SECTION 2.  Chapter 8 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

“Section 14A.  The superintendent, in consultation with the Massachusetts veterans’ hall of fame council established under section 68 of chapter 3, shall establish a Massachusetts veterans’ hall of fame to be located in the state house.”