§363-2  Office of veterans' services;director.  (a)  The office of veterans' services shall be responsible forthe conduct or supervision of all activities provided for by this chapter andfor the formulation and adoption of all policies and rules for theadministration of this chapter and is established in the department of defensefor administrative purposes.

(b)  The head of the office shall be known asthe director of the office of veterans' services.  The director shall benominated and appointed by the governor without regard to chapters 76 and 89. Effective July 1, 2005, the director shall be paid a salary set by theappointing authority that shall not exceed sixty-nine per cent of the salary ofthe director of human resources development.  The director shall be included inany benefit program generally applicable to the officers and employees of theState.

(c)  The director shall have the followingprincipal functions, duties, and powers:

(1)  Serve as the principal official in stategovernment responsible for the performance, development, and control ofprograms, policies, and activities under this chapter;

(2)  Oversee, supervise, and direct the performance bythe director's subordinates of activities in such areas as planning,evaluation, and coordination of veterans programs and development of astatewide service delivery network;

(3)  Assess the policies and practices of otheragencies with respect to delivery of services and benefits to veterans;

(4)  Administer funds allocated for the office, andapply for, receive, and disburse grants and donations from all sources forveterans programs and services provided under this chapter;

(5)  Establish a clearinghouse for complaints ofpersons regarding services to veterans, or operations of state and countyagencies affecting veterans, investigate such complaints, and refer thecomplaints and the director's findings to the appropriate agency for correctiveaction;

(6)  Adopt, amend, and repeal rules pursuant tochapter 91 for the purposes of this chapter;

(7)  Employ and retain such staff as may be necessaryfor the purposes of this chapter, in conformance with chapters 76, 89, and theappropriate collective bargaining agreements, executive orders, executivedirectives, or rules, except for the position of coordinator and executivesecretary to the director, who shall be hired without regard to chapters 76 and89;

(8)  Contract for or grant such services as may benecessary for the purposes of this chapter, including a master contract withother state agencies receiving federal and state funds for programs andservices for veterans, and purchase of service agreements with appropriateagencies; and

(9)  Oversee the development, establishment, andoperation of a state veterans cemetery on Oahu; develop and administer thepolicies and procedures of the state veterans cemetery in accordance with theUnited States Veterans Administration and existing state guidelines; overseethe maintenance of state veterans cemeteries on all islands. [L 1951, c 75, §4;RL 1955, §349-4; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §20; HRS §363-2; am L 1970, c 105, §5;am L 1987, c 339, §4; am L 1988, c 115, §4; am L 1990, c 140, §6; am L 2002, c148, §40; am L 2005, c 226, §11]

 

Cross References

 

  Rulemaking, see chapter 91.