(1) The Colorado board of veterans affairs and its powers, duties, and functions are hereby transferred by a type 2 transfer from the department of human services to the department of military and veterans affairs. The board shall advise and consult with the division in the administration and enforcement of this article.

(2) The board shall consist of seven members who shall be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate, who shall be veterans who have been honorably released or separated from the armed forces of the United States, but who need not be members of a veterans service organization. The initial members of the board shall be the members of the Colorado board of veterans affairs as such board existed in the department of human services prior to July 1, 2002, and the terms of such members shall expire as the original terms of such members were scheduled to expire. Thereafter the governor shall appoint members for terms of four years, beginning the day after the expiration of the preceding term. Vacancies occurring during any term shall be filled by the governor for the unexpired portion of the term in which they occur. If a vacancy occurs while the senate is not in session, the governor shall appoint a qualified person to discharge the duties thereof until the next meeting of the senate, at which time the governor shall nominate a person to fill the vacancy, which nomination shall be subject to senate confirmation. Members of the board shall hold office until their successors are appointed by the governor and are confirmed by the senate. Not more than four of the members serving at any one time shall be members of the same political party.

(3) The members of the board shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed, out of any funds appropriated to the division, for actual and necessary traveling expenses and other expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.

(4) The members of the board shall select one of their members to serve as the chair of the board and one to serve as the vice-chair of the board, for a term of two years for each office. Such officers shall hold office at the pleasure of the board. The board shall also appoint a secretary who may or may not be a member as the board may determine. The secretary shall attend all meetings of the board, keep a full and true record of its proceedings, preserve at its general office all its books, documents, and papers, and perform such other duties as the board may prescribe.

(5) The board shall hold meetings at such times and at such places as shall be determined by it. Special meetings may be called at any time by the chair or vice-chair and shall be called at the request of any three members.

(6) Repealed.