§143B-399. Veterans' Affairs Commission - creation, powers and duties

There is hereby created the Veterans' Affairs Commission of the Department of Administration. The Veterans' Affairs Commission shall have the following functions and duties:

(1)        To advise the Governor on matters relating to the affairs of veterans in North Carolina;

(2)        To maintain a continuing review of the operation and budgeting of existing programs for veterans and their dependents in the State and to make any recommendations to the Governor for improvements and additions to such matters to which the Governor shall give due consideration;

(3)        To serve collectively as a liaison between the Division of Veterans Affairs and the veterans organizations represented on the Commission;

(4)        To promulgate rules and regulations concerning the awarding of scholarships for children of North Carolina veterans as provided by Article 4 of Chapter 165 of the General Statutes of North Carolina. The Commission shall make rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this Chapter. All rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter heretofore adopted by the State Board of Veterans' Affairs shall remain in full force and effect unless and until repealed or superseded by action of the Veterans Affairs Commission. All rules and regulations adopted by the Commission shall be enforced by the Division of Veterans' Affairs;

(4a)      To promulgate rules concerning the awarding of the North Carolina Services Medal to all veterans who have served in any period of war as defined in 38 U.S.C. § 101. The award shall be self-financing; those who wish to be awarded the medal shall pay a fee to cover the expenses of producing the medal and awarding the medal. All rules adopted by the Commission with respect to the North Carolina Services Medal shall be implemented and enforced by the Division of Veterans' Affairs; and

(5)        To advise the Governor on any matter the Governor may refer to it.

(1973, c. 620, s. 7; 1977, c. 70, ss. 24, 25, 27; c. 622; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 998, s. 1; 1993, c. 553, s. 47.)