Rules and regulations

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, with respect to any form or application required to be completed by an applicant or a licensee, or with respect to any document required to be issued by the commission, the commission is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations setting forth: (1) Any procedure that will reduce the use of paper forms, applications, or documents; (2) Any procedure that will reduce the necessity for the commission to maintain paper documents; (3) The procedure for submitting or issuing any such form, application, or document by facsimile or electronic means; and 407 43-40-3.1 PROFESSIONS AND BUSINESSES 43-40-4 (4) The procedure for satisfying any signature requirement on any such form by electronic signature, voice signature, or other means so long as appropriate security measures are implemented that assure security and verification of any required signature. As used in this Code section, the term ‘‘electronic signature’’ shall have the same meaning as provided in Code Section 10-12-2. History. — Code 1981, § 43-40-3.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1999, p. 715, § 4; Ga. L. 2009, p. 698, § 6/HB 126. 43-40-4. Office of commissioner; qualifications; restrictions; staff; oath; duties and powers; reimbursement. (a) There is established within the commission the office of real estate commissioner. (b) The commissioner shall be a full-time employee of the commission and shall serve as the chief executive officer of the commission. The commission shall in its discretion appoint the commissioner and fix his or her annual salary. Any person, in order to qualify for appointment to the office of commissioner, shall be a person of good moral character and shall possess such qualifications as the commission may require. The commissioner shall hold no interest in any real estate business or related business while serving as commissioner. The commissioner, with the approval of the commission, may employ and fix the compensation of a secretary, investigators, and other staff to assist the commissioner in his or her duties. Such employees shall not be placed in the classified service as defined by Code Section 45-20-2, provided that nothing in this chapter shall be construed to affect any employee in the classified service as of July 1, 1981. (c) The commissioner shall take an oath to discharge faithfully the duties of his or her office. (d) The commissioner shall be charged with the duties and powers as delegated by the commission. (e) The commissioner shall be allowed reimbursement for travel and other expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of his or her duties, the same as other state officers and employees, and shall receive payment of the same in the manner provided for members of the commission. History. — Code 1933, § 84-1405, enacted by Ga. L. 1973, p. 100, § 1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 1203, § 1; Ga. L. 1981, p. 1311, § 2; Ga. L. 1994, p. 97, § 43; Ga. L. 2009, p. 745, § 1/SB 97; Ga. L. 2012, p. 446, § 2-65/HB 642. 408 43-40-4 REAL ESTATE BROKERS AND SALESPERSONS