§204. Powers and duties of commissioner
The commissioner has all of the powers and duties necessary to carry out the mission and responsibilities of the department. The commissioner has the power to distribute the functions and duties given to the commissioner under this Title, Title 7 and Title 12 among the various bureaus of the department so as to integrate the work properly and to promote the most economical and efficient administration of the department. Powers and duties given to the commissioner or the department in this Title, Title 7 or Title 12 must be assumed and carried out by the bureaus that the commissioner designates and may in turn be delegated to subordinates by bureau directors with the approval of the commissioner. [PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §13 (AMD); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §17 (AFF).]
1. Administration. The commissioner shall administer the department in accordance with the requirements of this Title and shall fulfill the duties prescribed to the commissioner by state and federal law.
[PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. V, §1 (NEW); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §17 (AFF).]
2. Rulemaking. The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this Title. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules, as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A, unless otherwise specified.
[PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. V, §1 (NEW); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §17 (AFF).]
3. Employees. The commissioner may employ personnel as necessary to carry out the work of the department. Except as otherwise provided by law, all personnel of the department are under the immediate supervision, direction and control of the commissioner. Department personnel are subject to the Civil Service Law, except for positions subject to appointment by the commissioner under subsection 4 and as otherwise specified.
[PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. V, §1 (NEW); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §17 (AFF).]
4. Appointments. The deputy commissioner and bureau directors of the department are appointed by the commissioner and serve at the pleasure of the commissioner, except as otherwise provided by law. The deputy commissioner and bureau directors appointed pursuant to this Title must have educational qualifications and professional experience directly related to the functions of and services provided by the relevant unit or bureau.
[PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §14 (AMD); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §17 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. V, §1 (NEW). PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. V, §2 (AFF). PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §§13,14 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §17 (AFF).
Structure Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 7-A: AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY
Subtitle 1: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY
Chapter 1: DEPARTMENTAL ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION
7-A §201-A. Local food and rural economic development (REPEALED)
7-A §201-B. Local authority to regulate food systems (REPEALED)
7-A §202. Mission; guiding principles
7-A §204. Powers and duties of commissioner