Administrative services division; duties.

A. The administrative services division shall provide administrative services to the department, including: (1) keeping all official records of the department; (2) providing clerical services in the areas of personnel and budget preparation; (3) providing clerical, recordkeeping and administrative support to agencies administratively attached to the department at their request; (4) coordinating short- and long-term planning of the department; and (5) administering programs and grants that have been assigned to the department by the secretary or governor or by statute, including management of the state approving bureau. B. The administrative services division shall provide fiduciary services, including acting as either court-appointed conservator or representative payee for veterans adjudicated as unable to handle their own financial affairs without assistance. The division shall manage fiduciary funds and safeguard the assets for veterans and their dependents.