Section 25-43-1604 - Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs(a) The executive head of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.(b) The secretary shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.(c) Each division of the department shall be under the direction, control, and supervision of the secretary.(d) The secretary may delegate his or her functions, powers, and duties to various divisions or employees of the department as he or she shall deem desirable and necessary for the effective and efficient operation of the department.(e) The secretary may, unless otherwise provided by law:(1) Hire department personnel;(2) Perform or assign duties assigned to the department; and(3) Serve as the director, or the administrative or executive head of any state entity under the administrative control of the department if the secretary also meets all statutory requirements for the position.(f) The Governor may appoint a qualified secretary who has:(1) Served in the United States Armed Forces during a period of conflict as defined by the United States Congress;(2) Been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces; and(3) Been a resident of the State of Arkansas for two (2) or more years preceding his or her appointment.(g) The secretary shall promote and supervise the dissemination of available information concerning the rights of veterans and their dependents.(h) The secretary may establish, maintain, and operate district offices within the State of Arkansas as may be necessary.(i) The secretary may employ other employees, full-time or part-time, as may be determined necessary, within the limits of the funds appropriated for that purpose.(j)(1) An employee under the supervision of the department shall not accept, receive, or charge any money, article, or thing of value for the performance of any service rendered to any veteran or his or her dependents at any time or in any manner.(2) Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisoned not less than thirty (30) days nor more than six (6) months, or both.(k)(1) By November 1 of each odd-numbered year, the secretary shall provide an oral report to the Legislative Council on the state of the department.(2) The Legislative Council shall schedule an appropriate date and shall give notice thereof to the secretary of the date on which the secretary is to appear before the Legislative Council to make his or her report as required in this subsection.Amended by Act 2021, No. 413,§ 15, eff. 7/28/2021.Added by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 6327, eff. 7/1/2019.