Section 38-4-7. Commissioner of veterans service -- Compensation; payment; duties

   (a) Beginning July 1, 1999, the salary of the commissioner shall be set by the Governor and shall be paid in semimonthly installments. Such salary shall include any compensation received from the United States government and the amount of state funds paid shall be reduced by the amount of compensation received from the United States government.

(b) The commissioner, as executive and administrative officer of the Department of Veterans Service and the board, shall be in charge of the administration of all matters pertaining to veterans' affairs under this article and in conformity with rules and regulations of the board.

(c) It shall be the duty of the commissioner:

   (1) To effectuate and carry out the laws of the state pertaining to veterans and to perform the duties required of him or her by law and by regulation of the board;

   (2) To furnish information to all veterans of all wars in which the United States has engaged as to their rights and benefits under federal legislation, state legislation, or local ordinances;

   (3) To assist all veterans, their dependents, and beneficiaries in the preparation and prosecution of claims before appropriate federal governmental departments;

   (4) To report any evidence of incompetency, dishonesty, or neglect of duty on the part of any employee of a governmental agency dealing with veterans' affairs to the proper authority; and

   (5) Generally to do and perform all things for the promotion of, in the interest of, and for the protection of the veterans of this state as to their rights under all federal and state laws.

Ga. L. 1896, p. 65, § 1; Ga. L. 1906, p. 110, § 1; Ga. L. 1908, p. 66, § 4; Penal Code 1910, § 1471; Ga. L. 1919, p. 280, § 1; Ga. L. 1926, Ex. Sess., p. 53, §§ 1, 2, 4; Ga. L. 1931, p. 7, §§ 9, 11; Code 1933, § 78-102; Ga. L. 1945, p. 319, §§ 4, 5; Ga. L. 1955, p. 664, § 1; Ga. L. 1956, p. 160, § 1; Ga. L. 1957, p. 165, § 1; Ga. L. 1983, p. 1401, § 6; Ga. L. 1999, p. 1213, § 2.