12-A:2 Commissioner of Natural and Cultural Resources.

There shall be a commissioner of natural and cultural resources who shall be appointed by the governor and council for a term of 4 years from the date of appointment. A vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term. It shall be the responsibility of the commissioner to organize and direct the work of the department. The commissioner of natural and cultural resources shall appoint one member of his or her staff who shall act in the commissioner's stead when said commissioner is absent from the state and at such other times as directed by the commissioner. When acting for the commissioner said person shall have all the power, duties and authority of the commissioner. Directors of departmental divisions shall be subject to the supervisory authority of the commissioner, which authority shall include power to establish department and divisional policy as well as to control the actual operations of the department and all divisions therein. The commissioner shall consult with the advisory commission prior to the establishment of general and divisional departmental policy.