Section 110-B:8 - The Adjutant GeneralI. The adjutant general shall be appointed as provided in the constitution and the tenure of office shall be until the officer has reached the age of 65 years. At the time of appointment, the adjutant general shall have had not less than 5 years of service as a member of the New Hampshire national guard, immediately preceding that appointment, shall have attained at least the rank of colonel and shall be eligible for federal recognition by the department of defense as a brigadier general. After one year as a brigadier general, the adjutant general may be appointed to the rank of major general. The adjutant general's salary shall be prescribed by law.II. The adjutant general shall be the chief of staff to the governor and shall be the executive head of the department of military affairs and veterans services. The adjutant general may perform any act authorized by this chapter or by the regulations issued pursuant thereto through or with the aid of such officers of the national guard or other personnel as the adjutant general may designate. The adjutant general shall exercise and perform all powers, functions and duties which are or may be imposed by the laws and regulations of the United States. It shall be the duty of the adjutant general to direct the planning and employment of the forces of the national guard in carrying out their state military mission; to establish unified command of state forces whenever they shall be jointly engaged; to submit such written reports to the governor as the governor may prescribe; and to perform such other duties as the governor may direct. Whenever the governor and those who would act in succession to the governor under the constitution and laws of the state shall be unable to perform the duties of commander-in-chief, the adjutant general shall command the militia.III. The adjutant general is authorized and empowered, subject to the approval of the governor and council, to contract with any person or private or public agency to provide group life or disability insurance coverage for members of the national guard, while on active state duty, within the limits of appropriations made for the national guard.IV. The adjutant general shall advocate for and promote the welfare of military service members, veterans, and their families. The adjutant general shall enhance, coordinate, and oversee the benefits and services offered by organizations within the state of New Hampshire and direct veterans to appropriate benefits and services offered by such organizations. The department of military affairs and veterans services shall serve as a clearinghouse for research, data, and analysis, to initiate and support public education and awareness campaigns. The adjutant general shall serve as a liaison between the federal government and the governor on issues relevant to the department's mission, and represent the department at various state and national conventions, conferences, and public functions and provide supervision to the department public relations program.Amended by 2019, 273:3, eff. 9/17/2019.1981, 434:1. 1983, 276:1. 1995, 12:1, eff. June 11, 1995. 2019, 273:3, eff. Sept. 17, 2019.