21-G:8 Commissioners and Division Directors; Appointment; Term. –
I. The commissioners of all departments established after July 1, 1983, shall be appointed by the governor, with the consent of the council, except as otherwise provided by law. Each commissioner shall be an unclassified employee.
II. Each commissioner shall nominate for appointment by the governor, with the consent of the council, each division director within the commissioner's department, for all departments established after July 1, 1983, except as otherwise provided by law. Each division director shall be an unclassified employee.
III. Commissioners shall serve terms of 4 years. Such terms shall end on March 31 of an odd-numbered year. Initial terms for some commissioners may be for approximately 2 years so that the terms of one-half of the commissioners will end in each gubernatorial term.
IV. Division directors shall serve terms of 4 years. Such terms shall end on March 31 of an even-numbered year. Initial terms for some directors may be for approximately 2 years so that the terms of one-half of the directors will end one year after a commissioner's terms commences and one-half 3 years after that date.