AGO 1951-53 No. 6.

• Case Date: April 04, 1951
• Court: Washington

Washington Attorney General Opinions 1951. AGO 1951-53 No. 6. April 4, 1951[Orig. Op. Page 1]PRIVATECOUNTY INDIGENT VETERANS' FUNDS, AUTHORITY OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO DISALLOW CLAIMS.Within tax and budget limits, county commissioners may disallow claims upon the county indigent veterans' fund when in their discretion the claimant is not indigent, despite approval of the claim by a proper officer of the veterans' organization.Honorable Hugh H. EvansProsecutor, Spokane CountySpokane, WashingtonCite as: AGO 1951-53 No. 6Attention: Earl W. Foster, Deputy Prosecutor Dear Sir: You request our opinion upon: "What authority has the Board of County Commissioners to disallow claims on the county indigent veterans' funds where such claims are approved by proper officers of veterans' organizations." We conclude that: The county commissioners may disallow such claim where in the exercise of a sound discretion, the claimant is not indigent. ANALYSIS For the relief of certain indigent veterans, the Boards of County Commissioners by Rem. Rev. Stat. § 10737 (1947 Supp.), "* * * shall provide such sum or sums of money as may be necessary, * * *" [Orig. Op. Page 2] to be drawn upon by certain officers of nationally chartered veterans' organizations. Their orders "* * * shall be the proper voucher for the expenditure of said sum or sums of money." The fund is supported by a county tax levied under Rem. Rev. Stat. § 10742 (1945 Supp.). The quoted language above of the 1947 amendment is identical with the language Rem. Rev. Stat. § 10737 of the Laws of 1921, also with § 1, Ch. 83, Laws of 1919. (The original act, Laws of 1887-88, p. 208 contained "may" rather than "shall" provide). Our previous opinions (January 16, 1923; affirmed by...