S. 1599 is being considered under suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds vote for passage.  The legislation was introduced by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) on August 6, 2009.

S. 1599 revises the federal charter of the Reserve Officers Association of the United States to include the president elect of the Association on the national executive committee as a non-voting member.  The bill makes the president elect of the Association an officer and eliminates the specific exclusion against the officers of a surgeon, a chaplain, a historian, and a public relations officer. 

The bill declares that the officers take office at the national convention and requires the judge advocate to be appointed by the national executive committee.  The bill allows for appointment by the national executive committee of any other national officers specified in the Association's constitution.

Founded in 1922, and chartered by Congress in 1950, ROA's mission is to "...support and promote the development and execution of a military policy for the United States that will provide adequate National Security."  The business of the association is handled through its national headquarters in Washington D.C.  Legislative policies are established at two national meetings each year-a national convention is held annually in early summer and the mid-winter conference and Military Exposition in late January.

Since chartered organizations are not agencies of the U.S. government and are not provided federal benefits, CBO estimates that enacting this bill would have no impact on the federal budget.