New Hampshire § 12-P-4 - Section 12-P:4 Commissioner; Deputy Commissioner; Directors; General Counsel.

§ 12-P-4. Section 12-P:4 Commissioner; Deputy Commissioner; Directors; General Counsel.

I. The commissioner of the department of energy shall be appointed by the governor, with the consent of the council, and shall serve for a term of 4 years. The commissioner shall be qualified to hold that position by reason of education and experience. Directors of departmental divisions and the general counsel 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 is authorized to establish any advisory committees and programs which the commissioner may deem necessary to carry out the mission and operations of the department. II. The commissioner of energy shall nominate a deputy commissioner of energy for appointment by the governor and council. The deputy commissioner shall hold office for 4 years and until a successor has been appointed and qualified. The deputy commissioner shall be qualified to hold that position by reason of education and experience. The deputy commissioner shall perform such duties as the commissioner may assign. The deputy commissioner shall perform the duties of the commissioner if for any reason the commissioner is unable to do so. III. Division directors shall be appointed to initial terms as stated below, and then subsequently to terms of 4 years. Terms notwithstanding, each division director shall serve until a successor has been appointed and qualified. III-a. The commissioner shall appoint a general counsel, who shall serve at the pleasure of the commissioner. The general counsel shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as the commissioner may authorize. (a) The commissioner shall nominate for appointment by the governor and council a director of the division of policy and programs for an initial term of one year. All subsequent terms shall be 4 years. The director of the division of policy and programs shall be qualified to hold that position by reason of education and experience. (b) The commissioner shall nominate for appointment by the governor and council a director of the division of administration for an initial term of 2 years. All subsequent terms shall be 4 years. The director of the division of administration shall be qualified to hold that position by reason of education and experience. (c) The commissioner shall nominate for appointment by the governor and council a director of the division of enforcement for an initial term of 3 years. All subsequent terms shall be 4 years. The director of the division of enforcement shall be qualified to hold that position by reason of education and experience. (d) The commissioner shall nominate for appointment by the governor and council a director of the division of regulatory support for an initial term of 3 years. All subsequent terms shall be 4 years. The director of the division of regulatory support shall be qualified to hold that position by reason of education and experience. IV. The salaries of the commissioner, the deputy commissioner, and each division director shall be as specified in RSA 94:1-a.