(1) Repealed.
(2) (a) Subject to available appropriations, there is hereby authorized the establishment and construction of veterans centers for veterans of service in the armed forces of the United States and their spouses, surviving spouses, or dependent parents. Each such veterans center shall be known as a Colorado veterans community living center, collectively referred to in this article as "veterans centers".
(b) Veterans centers must be located at or near the city of Florence, at or near the city of Walsenburg, at or near the city of Rifle, at or near the city of Aurora, and in Homelake.
(3) The state department shall evaluate any proposed sites for a new veterans center to be constructed, leased, or purchased on or after July 1, 1998, in accordance with section 26-12-111.
(4) The veterans centers shall be designed and constructed so as to qualify for federal funding under the provisions of federal Public Law 88-450, as amended. The veterans centers shall be under the control and supervision of the state department, and they shall be operated so as to qualify for per diem payments from the United States veterans administration under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. sec. 1741.