§ 482. State office of rural affairs. 1. There is hereby created in
the executive department an office of rural affairs. The head of the
office shall be the director of rural affairs who shall be appointed by
the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, and who shall
hold office at the pleasure of the governor. The director shall receive
an annual salary to be fixed by the governor within the amount available
therefor by appropriation. He shall also be entitled to receive
reimbursement for expenses actually and necessarily incurred by him in
the performance of his duties. The director may appoint such officers
and employees, agents, consultants, and special committees as he or she
may deem necessary, prescribe their duties, fix their compensation and
provide for reimbursement of their expenses within amounts available
therefor by appropriation.

2. The director shall prepare and submit annually, on or before
February first, a comprehensive report, pursuant to section four hundred
ninety of this article.

3. The governor shall direct that all state agencies provide the
director with assistance in advancing the purpose of the office and to
assure that the activities of the office are fully coordinated with the
activities of state agencies providing related services.