[§124A-165]  Redress of injuries to
property.  (a)  Whenever complaint is made to any commanding officer that
wilful damage has been done to the property of any person or that the person's
property has been wrongfully taken by members of the state military forces, the
commanding officer may, subject to such rules as the governor may adopt,
convene a board to investigate the complaint.  The board shall consist of from
one to three commissioned officers and, for the purpose of that investigation,
it has power to summon witnesses and examine them upon oath or affirmation, to
receive depositions or other documentary evidence, and to assess the damages
sustained against the responsible parties.  The assessment of damages made by
the board is subject to the approval of the commanding officer, and in the
amount approved by the commanding officer shall be charged against the pay of
the offenders.  The order of the commanding officer directing charges herein
authorized is conclusive, except as provided in subsection (c), on any
disbursing officer for the payment by the disbursing officer to the injured
parties of the damages so assessed and approved.



(b)  If the offenders cannot be ascertained,
but the organization or detachment to which they belong is known, charges
totaling the amount of damages assessed and approved may be paid to the injured
parties from the military funds of the units of the state military forces to
which the offenders belonged.



(c)  Any person subject to this chapter who is
accused of causing wilful damage to property has the right to be represented by
counsel, to summon witnesses in the person's behalf, and to cross-examine those
appearing against the person.  The person has the right of appeal to the next
higher commander. [L 1982, c 171, pt of §2; gen ch 1985]