§ 38A:21A-2 — Veteran Advocate, salary, term, background.

2. a. The administrator and chief executive officer of the office shall be the Veteran Advocate. The Veteran Advocate shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Any person appointed to the position of Veteran Advocate shall be a veteran. The Veteran Advocate shall be selected without regard to political affiliation and on the basis of integrity. The qualifications of the person selected may include, but need not be limited to, a demonstrated ability in veteran welfare and justice, auditing, law, health care, management analysis, public administration and investigation, or criminal justice administration. Preference may be given to a candidate who is an attorney-at-law of this State, who has experience in veterans’ services or has experience in long-term care services. b. The salary of the Veteran Advocate shall not be less than $150,000 per year. c. The term of office of the Veteran Advocate shall be five years, but the Veteran Advocate shall serve until the appointment and qualification of the successor. No person shall be appointed as Veteran Advocate for more than two full terms. The Veteran Advocate may appoint, subject to appropriation, such other personnel as the Veteran Advocate deems necessary for the efficient management of the office. d. The entire professional time of the Veteran Advocate shall be devoted to the duties of the position. A vacancy occurring in the position of Veteran Advocate shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, except that if the Veteran Advocate dies, resigns, or is removed from office, the Governor shall appoint an acting Veteran Advocate who shall serve until the appointment and qualification of the successor. The Veteran Advocate may be removed from office for cause by the Governor. Such cause may include, but is not limited to, substantial neglect of duty, gross misconduct, or conviction of a crime. L.2025, c.172, s.2.