2020 Georgia Code
Title 38 - Military, Emergency Management, and Veterans Affairs
Chapter 4 - Veterans Affairs
Article 1 - Department of Veterans Service
§ 38-4-8. Commissioner of Veterans Service - Additional Duties

The commissioner of veterans service shall, in addition to the duties provided in this chapter:

1. Acquaint himself, his assistants, and employees with the laws, federal, state, and local, enacted for the benefit of members of the armed forces, veterans, their families and dependents, and make studies of and collect data and information as to the facilities and services available to them;
2. Cooperate with information or service agencies and organizations throughout the state in disseminating and furnishing counsel and assistance of benefit to residents of this state who are or have been members of the armed forces, their families, and dependents, which will show the availability of:
   1. Educational training and retraining facilities;
   2. Health, medical, rehabilitation, and housing services and facilities;
   3. Employment and reemployment services;
   4. Provisions of federal, state, and local laws affording financial rights, privileges, and benefits; and
   5. Other matters of similar, related, or appropriate nature;
3. Assist veterans, their families, and dependents in the preparation, presentation, proof, and establishment of such claims, privileges, rights, and other benefits accruing to them under federal, state, and local laws; and
4. Cooperate with all national, state, and local governmental and private agencies securing or offering services or any benefits to veterans, their families, and dependents.

(Ga. L. 1923, p. 121, § 4; Ga. L. 1926, Ex. Sess., p. 53, § 3; Ga. L. 1931, p. 7, §§ 10, 11; Code 1933, § 78-105; Ga. L. 1945, p. 319, § 13; Ga. L. 1983, p. 1401, § 7.)

- Ga. L. 1983, p. 1401, § 1, not codified by the General Assembly, provided that: "It is the intent of this Act to implement certain changes required by Article IV, Section V, Paragraph I, subparagraph (b) of the Constitution of the State of Georgia."

OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

Services required notwithstanding overlap with other agencies.

- Director (now commissioner) is required to serve Georgia residents who are or have been on active military duty, their families, and dependents. The fact that many of the services authorized to be performed by the Department of Veterans Service are concurrent with and overlap those offered by the federal Veterans Administration or by other agencies does not alter the statutory duty of the department to render such service when requested. 1965-66 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 66-143.

RESEARCH REFERENCES

Am. Jur. 2d.

- 63C Am. Jur. 2d, Public Officers and Employees, §§ 3, 230 et seq. 77 Am. Jur. 2d, Veterans and Veterans' Laws, §§ 3 et seq., 26 et seq., 64 et seq., 89 et seq.

- 6 C.J.S., Armed Services, §§ 287 et seq. 67 C.J.S., Officers and Public Employees, § 234 et seq.