---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 544"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "544"
heading: "Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/544"
units:
  - "Part I — General Provisions"
  - "Chapter 5 — Authority and Duties of the Secretary"
  - "Subchapter III — Advisory Committees"
---

# §544. Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans

- (a)
  - (1) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall establish an advisory committee to be known as the Advisory Committee on Minority [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) (hereinafter in this section referred to as “the Committee”).
  - (2)
    - (A) The Committee shall consist of members appointed by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) from the general public, including—
      - (i) representatives of [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) who are minority group members;
      - (ii) individuals who are recognized authorities in fields pertinent to the needs of [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) who are minority group members;
      - (iii) [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) who are minority group members and who have experience in a military theater of operations;
      - (iv) [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) who are minority group members and who do not have such experience; and
      - (v) women [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) who are minority group members and are recently separated from service in the [Armed Forces](/usc/38/101.md?p=10).
    - (B) The Committee shall include, as ex officio members, the following:
      - (i) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of Labor (or a representative of the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of Labor designated by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) after consultation with the Assistant [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of Labor for [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2)’ Employment).
      - (ii) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of Defense (or a representative of the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of Defense designated by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of Defense).
      - (iii) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of the Interior (or a representative of the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of the Interior designated by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of the Interior).
      - (iv) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of Commerce (or a representative of the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of Commerce designated by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of Commerce).
      - (v) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of Health and Human Services (or a representative of the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of Health and Human Services designated by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of Health and Human Services).
      - (vi) The Under [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) for Health and the Under [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) for Benefits, or their designees.
    - (C) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may invite representatives of other [departments](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and agencies of the United States to participate in the meetings and other activities of the Committee.
  - (3) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall determine the number, terms of service, and pay and allowances of members of the Committee appointed by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1), except that a term of service of any such member may not exceed three years. The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may reappoint any such member for additional terms of service.
  - (4) The Committee shall meet as often as the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) considers necessary or appropriate, but not less often than twice each fiscal year.
- (b) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall, on a regular basis, consult with and seek the advice of the Committee with respect to the administration of benefits by the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) for [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) who are minority group members, reports and studies pertaining to such [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) and the needs of such [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) with respect to [compensation](/usc/38/101.md?p=13), health care, rehabilitation, outreach, and other benefits and programs administered by the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1), including the Center for Minority [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2).
- (c)
  - (1) Not later than July 1 of every other year, the Committee shall submit to the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) a report on the programs and activities of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) that pertain to [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) who are minority group members. Each such report shall include—
    - (A) an assessment of the needs of [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) who are minority group members with respect to [compensation](/usc/38/101.md?p=13), health care, rehabilitation, outreach, and other benefits and programs administered by the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1);
    - (B) a review of the programs and activities of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) designed to meet such needs; and
    - (C) such recommendations (including recommendations for administrative and legislative action) as the Committee considers appropriate.
  - (2) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall, within 60 days after receiving each report under [paragraph (1)](#c-1), submit to Congress a copy of the report, together with any comments concerning the report that the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) considers appropriate.
  - (3) The Committee may also submit to the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) such other reports and recommendations as the Committee considers appropriate.
  - (4) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall submit with each annual report submitted to the Congress pursuant to [section 529 of this title](/usc/38/529.md) a summary of all reports and recommendations of the Committee submitted to the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) since the previous annual report of the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) submitted pursuant to such section.
- (d) In this section, the term “minority group member” means an individual who is—
  - (1) Asian American;
  - (2) Black;
  - (3) Hispanic;
  - (4) Native American (including American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian); or
  - (5) Pacific-Islander American.
- (e) The Committee shall cease to exist September 30, 2026.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 103–446, title V, § 510(a), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4668; amended Pub. L. 104–275, title V, § 501(e)(2), (f), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3341; Pub. L. 106–117, title VIII, § 803, Nov. 30, 1999, 113 Stat. 1586; Pub. L. 108–183, title VII, § 703, Dec. 16, 2003, 117 Stat. 2671; Pub. L. 110–389, title VIII, § 808, Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4189; Pub. L. 111–163, title II, § 204(b), May 5, 2010, 124 Stat. 1144; Pub. L. 113–175, title IV, § 404, Sept. 26, 2014, 128 Stat. 1905; Pub. L. 114–58, title IV, § 406, Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 535; Pub. L. 114–228, title IV, § 406, Sept. 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 940; Pub. L. 115–62, title IV, § 406, Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1164; Pub. L. 115–251, title I, § 166, Sept. 29, 2018, 132 Stat. 3171; Pub. L. 117–180, div. E, title IV, § 403, Sept. 30, 2022, 136 Stat. 2139.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

Prior section 544, added Pub. L. 90–77, title I, § 108(a), Aug. 31, 1967, 81 Stat. 180; amended Pub. L. 91–588, § 3(a), Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1583; Pub. L. 93–527, § 5, Dec. 21, 1974, 88 Stat. 1704; Pub. L. 94–169, title I, § 105, Dec. 23, 1975, 89 Stat. 1017; Pub. L. 94–432, title II, § 205, Sept. 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 1371; Pub. L. 95–204, title I, § 104, Dec. 2, 1977, 91 Stat. 1457, authorized an increase by $79 of the monthly rate of pension payable to the surviving spouse if the surviving spouse was entitled to pension under subchapter III of chapter 15 of this title and was in need of regular aid and attendance, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 95–588, title I, § 112(a)(1), title IV, § 401, Nov. 4, 1978, 92 Stat. 2505, 2511, effective Jan. 1, 1979.

Another prior section 544, Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1139, authorized the payment of a pension to children of World War II or Korean conflict veterans, prior to the general amendment of subchapter III of chapter 15 of this title by Pub. L. 86–211, § 4, Aug. 29, 1950, 73 Stat. 434. See sections 1542 and 1543 of this title.

### Amendments

2022—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 117–180 substituted “September 30, 2026” for “September 30, 2022”.

2018—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 115–251, § 166(b), substituted “every other year” for “each year” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–251, § 166(a), substituted “September 30, 2022” for “September 30, 2018”.

2017—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–62 substituted “September 30, 2018” for “December 31, 2017”.

2016—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 114–228 substituted “December 31, 2017” for “December 31, 2016”.

2015—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 114–58 substituted “December 31, 2016” for “December 31, 2015”.

2014—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 113–175 substituted “December 31, 2015” for “December 31, 2014”.

2010—Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(v). Pub. L. 111–163 added cl. (v).

2008—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 110–389 substituted “December 31, 2014” for “December 31, 2009”.

2003—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–183 substituted “December 31, 2009” for “December 31, 2003”.

1999—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 106–117 substituted “December 31, 2003” for “December 31, 1999”.

1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–275, § 501(e)(2), inserted “, including the Center for Minority Veterans” before period at end.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 104–275, § 501(f), substituted “December 31, 1999” for “December 31, 1997”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 111–163 applicable to appointments made on or after May 5, 2010, see section 204(c) of Pub. L. 111–163, set out as a note under section 542 of this title.