The commissioner of veterans service is authorized and directed to employ competent personnel to assist in the administration of the Department of Veterans Service. The commissioner shall give reasonable preference to veterans, their surviving spouses, and dependents in the matter of employment in the department; provided, however, that competency and efficiency shall not be sacrificed because of veteran affiliation, relationship, or service. It shall be the duty of the commissioner to advise the Governor, the Veterans Service Board, and the General Assembly as to needed veterans' legislation. As executive officer, the commissioner shall have exclusive authority to employ personnel necessary to carry out the purposes of this article and shall define the duties of employees, assign their official stations, and fix their compensation subject to the rules of the State Personnel Board.
(Ga. L. 1931, p. 7, § 13; Code 1933, § 78-103; Ga. L. 1945, p. 319, § 8; Ga. L. 1981, p. 700, § 1; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3, § 38; Ga. L. 1983, p. 1401, § 8; Ga. L. 2009, p. 745, § 1/SB 97; Ga. L. 2012, p. 446, § 2-61/HB 642.)
The 2012 amendment, effective July 1, 2012, substituted "rules of the State Personnel Board" for "State Personnel Administration" in the last sentence of this Code section.
Cross references.- Fair employment practices in state hiring generally, § 45-19-20 et seq.
Editor's notes.- 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."
Ga. L. 2012, p. 446, § 3-1/HB 642, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: "Personnel, equipment, and facilities that were assigned to the State Personnel Administration as of June 30, 2012, shall be transferred to the Department of Administrative Services on the effective date of this Act." This Act became effective July 1, 2012.
Ga. L. 2012, p. 446, § 3-2/HB 642, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: "Appropriations for functions which are transferred by this Act may be transferred as provided in Code Section 45-12-90."
RESEARCH REFERENCES
Am. Jur. 2d.
- 63C Am. Jur. 2d, Public Officers and Employees, § 3. 77 Am. Jur. 2d, Veterans and Veterans' Laws, §§ 116 et seq.
C.J.S.- 6 C.J.S., Armed Services, § 327 et seq.