The State of North Carolina shall construct, maintain, and operate veterans homes for the aged and infirm veterans resident in this State under the administrative authority and control of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. There is vested in the Department any and all powers and authority that may be necessary to enable it to establish and operate the homes and to issue rules necessary to operate the homes in compliance with applicable State and federal statutes and regulations. (1995, c. 346, s. 1; 2015-241, ss. 24.1(k), (nn); 2015-268, s. 7.3(a).)