§ 9-22-8 NMSA 1978

The powers and duties of the officers of the organizational units of the department shall be subject to the direction and supervision of the secretary, and the secretary shall retain final decision-making authority and responsibility in accordance with Section 6 [ 9-22-6 NMSA 1978] of the Veterans' Services Department Act. The department shall have access to all records, data and information of other departments, agencies and institutions, including its own organizational units not specifically held confidential by law.