(a)(1) Beginning January 19, 2027, the position of Secretary of Energy is created as a member of the Governor’s cabinet. The secretary shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The secretary’s salary shall be fixed by the Governor and shall not be subject to Section 36-6-6. The secretary must have experience in utility regulation or energy policy or a related field.
(2) The Secretary of Energy shall direct the activities of the commission and shall set the agendas for all meetings of the commissioners, provided a meeting agenda may be amended by the affirmative vote of at least five commissioners.
(3) The Secretary of Energy shall have authority over personnel and administrative functions of the commission.
(4) The Secretary of Energy shall be subject to the ethics laws under Chapter 25 of Title 36.
(b) The secretary, under the provisions of the Merit System, shall employ professional and administrative employees, including attorneys, accountants, engineers, inspectors, and other employees as are necessary or expedient to carry out the duties conferred by law upon the commission. The salaries of all employees shall be fixed according to the provisions of the Merit System. The secretary, by and with the approval of the Governor, may employ and discharge special counsel or attorneys as it may be deemed necessary for such purpose.
(c) Any unclassified employee who is employed by the commission on June 1, 2026, and was appointed by a commissioner shall continue to be employed without regard to his or her appointing authority. The Secretary of Energy shall, in consultation with the State Personnel Board, work to transfer these unclassified employees into classified service.
History: (Acts 1920, No. 37, p. 38; Acts 1920, No. 42, p. 92; Code 1923, §9617; Code 1940, T. 48, §13; Act 2026-345, §2.)