Business Task Force set to convene

The American Legion's Business Task Force will meet March 25 at the organization's annual Washington Conference to set its advocacy priorities for 2014 and beyond. Foremost among the topics discussed will be a potential stance on H.R. 2882, a House bill that would amend the Small Business Act in a manner that stands to affect service-disabled veteran business owners and their spouses.

Around 20 Legion Business Task Force members will convene at the Washington Hilton for morning and afternoon meetings. The early session will feature presentations from Harold Klein, founder of TeleTime Productions, and Mark Rockefeller, accomplished entrepreneur and fourth-generation member of the famed Rockefeller family of New York. In addition to owning several start-ups, Rockefeller is a veteran and Legion member.

The entire three-hour afternoon session will be devoted to discussing the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses Act of 2013 (H.R. 2882). The measure stands to amend the Small Business Act to allow a service-disabled veteran business to retain its service-disabled status in the event of a veteran business owner's death if that veteran's spouse acquires ownership rights in the business. The business would continue to be considered service disabled until 10 years after the death, or until the spouse either remarries or relinquishes the ownership interest.

The American Legion's Business Task Force is a consortium of accomplished veteran business owners and entrepreneurs who have volunteered to advise the Legion on legislative matters that pertain to veteran businesses. Its group of around 30 members share their experience - ranging from the public and private sectors - to help inform the Legion's Veterans Education & Employment Division on matters relating to federal contracting for veterans, procurement and other areas that affect veteran business owners.