Private Acts of 1945 Chapter 49

COMPILER'S NOTE: For general state law on this subject see T.C.A. 58-3-109 through 58-3- 111.

SECTION 1. That in all Counties having a population of not less than 40,352 nor more than 40,362 according to Federal Census of 1940 the Quarterly Court of such Counties either in regular session or at special session are authorized to create an office known as "Ex-Service Officer."

SECTION 2. That the duties of such Ex-Service Officer shall be generally to aid veterans, residents of said Counties, of the armed forces of the United States Government or the members of the families of deceased veterans, residents of such Counties, who may be entitled to participate in the benefits, pensions and relief measures provided by the United States Congress in the preparation of the claims of such persons who may be so entitled and to prepare and file the claims and applications of such persons with the United States Veterans Administration or any other ogency (sic) of the United States Government where such claims or applications should be filed in order to establish the rights and benefits to which said applicants or claimants may be entitled, and to generally in every way necessary aid said applicants or claimants in asserting and establishing whatever may be the rights of said applicants or claimants to any of said benefits provided for by Congress for the Veterans of the armed forces of the United States Government or the families or dependents of such Veterans who are deceased or otherwise incapacitated, and no charge shall be made for any service rendered by such Officer.

SECTION 3. That such Ex-Service Officer shall be selected in such manner as is provided by the Resolution of the Quarterly Courts of such Counties, and such resolution may authorize the appointment through the Local Post of the American Legion, with the approval of its selection by a Committee of the Quarterly Court of such Counties, the appointment of such Ex-Service Officer to be recorded in such manner as is provided by said resolution of said Quarterly Court.

SECTION 4. That such Ex-Service Officer when selected and appointed shall devote his entire time to the performance of the duties of his said office and shall be subject to the directions and control of the Committee which selects said Officer and of the Quarterly Court of said Counties or the Committee selected by it for said purpose.

SECTION 5. That said Ex-Service Officer shall hold his office at the pleasure of said electing Committee and be discharged in such manner as is provided by the Resolution of the Quarterly Court of said Counties coming within the terms of this Act, and that such Ex-Service Officer shall be a Veteran of World War No. I or World War No. II and shall be a resident citizen of such Counties.

SECTION 6. That such Ex-Service Officer shall make such reports to the Quarterly Court of such Counties as such officer may be directed to make by the Resolutions of such Courts.

SECTION 7. That the Quarterly Courts of such Counties are authorized to fix the salary of such Ex-Service Officer but not to exceed the sum of Twenty- four Hundred ($2400.00) Dollars per annum and to appropriate out of the County Tax Account of such Counties the funds with which to pay the salary of said Ex-Service Officer and said salary shall be paid monthly by a warrant drawn on said fund and executed by the proper County officials, provided that the election and appointment of said Ex-Service Officer shall be evidenced by certification of the Committee authorized to appoint and approve the appointment of such Ex-Service Officer, said certification to be to the County Judge or Chairman of the Quarterly Court of said Counties and this certification shall be made a matter of permanent record.

SECTION 8. That the Quarterly Court of such Counties may at the discretion of such Court discontinue the salary of such Ex-Service Officer at any time, such discontinuance to be had by Resolution of said Quarterly Court of said Counties so providing and declaring, and from the date of the passage of such resolution by said Quarterly Court no further funds shall be paid for the salary of such Ex-Service Officer unless and until the Quarterly Court of such Counties by subsequent Resolution so provides.

SECTION 9. That the resolution which any Quarterly Court of said Counties coming within the provisions of this Act have heretofore enacted creating the above office of Ex-Service Officer and providing for his selection and appointment and appropriating funds for the payment of his salary not to exceed the sum of $2,400.00 per annum is hereby declared to be validated and legal and all payments made under such resolution are hereby declared to be legal and valid.

SECTION 10. That in the event any Section or Sections of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional the remaining Sections of this Act shall continue to be effective, it being declared that it is the intention of the Legislature to enact into law each Section of this Act.

SECTION 11. That this Act shall take effect from and after its passage, the public welfare requiring it.

Passed: January 18, 1945.