§355. Deputy secretary

            A. There shall be a deputy secretary of the department, who shall be appointed by the secretary with consent of the Senate and who shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary at a salary fixed by the secretary, which salary shall not exceed the amount approved for such position by the legislature while in session. He shall serve as acting secretary in the absence of the secretary.

            B. The deputy secretary shall, in addition to any authorities established elsewhere in law:

            (1) Oversee the office of natural resources commission, performing all functions, including the authority to employ, appoint, remove, assign, and promote such personnel as is necessary for the efficient administration of this office and its programs and the performance of its powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities, in accordance with applicable civil service laws, rules, and regulations, and with policies and rules of the department, all subject to budgetary control and applicable laws.

            (2) Perform other duties as requested or delegated by the secretary.

            Acts 1976, No. 513, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 83, §1, eff. June 22, 1977; Acts 2025, No. 458, §4, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.