Section 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.