1. A "veteran" is an individual who has served on continuous federalized active military duty for one hundred eighty days or the full period for which the individual was called or ordered to active military duty for reasons other than training, and who was discharged or released under other than dishonorable conditions. A discharge reflecting "expiration of term of service" or "completion of required service" or words to that effect qualifies the shorter term of service as making the individual a veteran.

The county veterans' service officer must be paid such monthly salary for full-time or part-time work as the board of county commissioners deems commensurate with the needs of the situation, together with actual living expenses when absent from the officer's established office upon official business in an amount not exceeding that allowed to state officials, upon itemized statements submitted by the officer and supported by sub vouchers or receipts as provided by section 21-05-01 and the officer's actual transportation expenses, which may not exceed the amounts provided by section 54-06-09,

The board of county commissioners of each county of the state of North Dakota shall appoint, employ, and pay, on a full-time or part-time basis, an officer to be known as a county veterans' service officer. The veterans' affairs commissioner may work directly with county veterans' service officers. An individual may serve as a county veterans' service officer in more than one county. The appointment must be made with the prior advice of the commissioner of veterans' affairs, and in accordance with veterans' preference as provided in section 37-19.1-02.

The veterans' postwar trust fund is a permanent trust fund of the state of North Dakota and consists of moneys transferred or credited to the fund under this chapter and other laws. Investment of the fund is the responsibility of the state treasurer who shall invest the fund only in those legal investments authorized by section 21-10-07.