801—1.3 (35,35A) Executive director. The executive director is responsible for administering the duties of the department and the commission other than those related to the Iowa Veterans Home.
	   1.3(1) Office location and hours. The office of the executive director is located at Camp Dodge, Building 3465, 7105 NW 70th Avenue, Johnston, Iowa 50131-1824. The office is open to the public during the hours of 8 a.m.	to 4:30 p.m.	except Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. The telephone number is (515)252-4698 or 1-800-838-4692 (1-800-VET-IOWA).
	   1.3(2) Administrative staff. The executive director provides direction to administrative staff employed by the department to assist the executive director in carrying out assigned duties.
	   1.3(3) Investigation of applications. The executive director shall examine all applications and approve or disapprove same and make any investigation necessary to establish facts regarding veterans service status and veterans affairs data in accordance with Iowa Code chapters 35 and 35A.
	   1.3(4) Duties. The duties of the department are as follows:
	      a.    	 Maintain and disseminate information to veterans and the public regarding facilities, benefits, and services available to veterans and their families and assist veterans and their families in obtaining such benefits and services.
	      b.    	 Maintain information and data concerning the military service of Iowa veterans.
	      c.    	 Assist county veteran affairs commissions established pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 35B. The department shall provide to county commissions suggested uniform benefits and administrative procedures for carrying out the functions and duties of the county commissions. The department shall also ensure compliance of county commissions with required office hours.
	      d.    	 Permanently maintain the records including certified records of bonus applications for awards paid from the war orphans educational fund under Iowa Code chapter 35.
	      e.    	 Collect and maintain information concerning veterans affairs.
	      f.    	 Assist the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Iowa Veterans Home, funeral directors, and federally chartered veterans service organizations in providing information concerning veterans’ service records and veterans affairs data.
	      g.    	 Maintain alphabetically a permanent registry of the graves of all persons who served in the military, naval, or merchant marine forces of the United States in time of war and whose mortal remains rest in Iowa.
	      h.    	 After consultation with the commission and the Iowa Association of County Veteran Service Officers, provide certification training to officers and county support staff pursuant to 2008 Iowa Acts, chapter 1130, section 3, and Iowa Code section 35B.6 as amended by 2008 Iowa Acts, chapter 1130, section 4. Training provided shall include accreditation by the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers. Continuing education training shall be provided by the department to meet the requirements established by the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers and to ensure that each officer is proficient in the use of electronic mail, general computer use, and use of the Internet to access information regarding facilities, benefits, and services available to veterans and their families. The department shall provide two schools of instruction annually. At least one school each year will provide continuing education requirements sufficient to maintain national accreditation and at least one school each year will provide accreditation training for nonaccredited officers, if needed.
	      i.    	 Provide an annual training course for county commissioners of veteran affairs.
	      j.    	 Establish and operate a state veterans cemetery pursuant to Iowa Code section 35A.5, subsection 10.
	      k.    	 Authorize the sale, trade, or transfer of veterans commemorative property pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 37A and 801—Chapter 15, Iowa Administrative Code.
	      l.    	 Adopt rules pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 17A and establish policy for the management and operation of the department. Prior to adopting rules, the department shall submit proposed rules to the commission for review pursuant to the requirements of Iowa Code section 35A.3.
	      m.    	 Provide information requested by the commission concerning the management and operation of the department and the programs administered by the department.
	      n.    	 Carry out the policies of the department.
[ARC 7825B, IAB 6/3/09, effective 7/8/09; Editorial change: IAC Supplement 11/26/14]