65-202. POWERS AND DUTIES. The administrator of the division of veterans services shall have full power and authority on behalf of the state of Idaho, in recognition of the services rendered by veterans of the armed forces of the United States, to:

(1) Oversee the management and operation of the veterans homes in the state and state veterans cemeteries and provide care to veterans of the armed forces of the United States under such rules as the administrator may, from time to time, adopt.

(2) Extend financial relief and assistance to destitute veterans and to those dependent upon such destitute veterans as the commission shall determine to be reasonably required under such rules as the administrator may, from time to time, adopt.

(3) Collect benefits paid by the United States department of veterans affairs for burial and plot allowance for persons interred at a state veterans cemetery.

(4) Prescribe, with the approval of the commission, the qualifications of all personnel in accordance with the Idaho personnel system law. The administrators in charge of state veterans homes, the office of veterans advocacy and state veterans cemeteries shall be considered nonclassified exempt employees pursuant to the provisions of chapter 53, title 67, Idaho Code, and shall serve at the pleasure of the administrator of the division of veterans services.

(5) Accept gifts, grants, contributions and bequests of funds, and personal property to the state of Idaho for the benefit of veterans of the armed forces of the United States.

(6) Enter into contracts, within the limit of funds available therefor, acquire services and personal property, and do and perform any acts that may be necessary in the administration of services to veterans of the armed forces of the United States.

(7) Administer, with the advice and approval of the commission, moneys in the veterans cemetery maintenance fund established in section 65-107, Idaho Code.

(8) Establish by rule charges related to interment, disinterment and reinterment in a state veterans cemetery and the administrator is hereby directed to cause such charges to be deposited in the veterans cemetery maintenance fund established in section 65-107, Idaho Code.

(9) In his discretion, assume control of the cremated remains of deceased persons qualified for interment in a state veterans cemetery, apply for burial and plot allowance benefits paid by the United States department of veterans affairs for such deceased persons and inter in a state veterans cemetery the cremated remains of deceased persons qualified for interment in a state veterans cemetery.

(10) Administer programs offered by the United States department of veterans affairs for the certification and supervision of educational and training opportunities for veterans.

History:

[(65-202) 1921, ch. 46, sec. 1, p. 73; I.C.A., sec. 63-202; am. 1943, ch. 20, sec. 1, p. 47; am. 1957, ch. 132, sec. 2, p. 222; am. 1969, ch. 37, sec. 2, p. 92; am. 1974, ch. 23, sec. 174, p. 633; am. 1990, ch. 56, sec. 4, p. 130; am. 2000, ch. 59, sec. 3, p. 127; am. 2001, ch. 198, sec. 1, p. 676; am. 2001, ch. 199, sec. 2, p. 679; am. 2002, ch. 49, sec. 3, p. 111; am. 2002, ch. 54, sec. 1, p. 122; am. 2003, ch. 42, sec. 2, p. 164; am. 2003, ch. 53, sec. 2, p. 195; am. 2004, ch. 318, sec. 13, p. 901; am. 2005, ch. 337, sec. 2, p. 1055; am. 2007, ch. 16, sec. 1, p. 27; am. 2009, ch. 10, sec. 1, p. 12; am. 2018, ch. 66, sec. 3, p. 158; am. 2019, ch. 154, sec. 1, p. 507.]