With the advice and counsel of the North Dakota development foundation, the governor shall appoint a commissioner to supervise, control, and administer the department. The commissioner serves at the pleasure of the governor and receives a salary set by the governor within the limits of legislative appropriations. The commissioner: 1. Shall file an oath of office in the usual form before commencing to perform the duties of the commissioner; 2. Shall serve as chairman of the cabinet; 3. Shall appoint personnel as may be determined necessary to carry out the duties of the department; 4. Shall manage the operations of the department and oversee each of the divisions; 5. Shall assume central responsibilities to develop, implement, and coordinate a working network of commerce service providers; 6. Shall coordinate the department's services with commerce-related services of other state agencies; 7. Shall advise and cooperate with departments and agencies of the federal government and of other states; private businesses, agricultural organizations, and associations; research institutions; and with any individual or other private or public entity; 8. May enter contracts upon terms and conditions as determined by the commissioner to be reasonable and to effectuate the purposes of this chapter; 9. Shall report between the first and tenth legislative days of each regular legislative session to a standing committee of each house of the legislative assembly as determined by the legislative management and shall report annually to the foundation: a. On the department's goals and objectives since the last report; b. On the department's goals and objectives for the period until the next report; c. On the department's long-term goals and objectives; d. On the department's activities and measurable results occurring since the last report; and e. On commerce benchmarks, including the average annual wage in the state, the gross state product exclusive of agriculture, and the number of primary sector jobs in the state;
10. May not certify as a primary sector business a compassion center registered under chapter 19-24.1; 11. Shall adopt rules necessary to implement this chapter; and 12. May take any actions necessary and proper to implement this chapter.
54-60-04. North Dakota economic development foundation - Executive committee - Duties. The North Dakota economic development foundation is created. 1. The foundation is composed of a minimum of fifteen and a maximum of thirty members appointed by the governor for two-year terms, except the governor shall appoint approximately one-half of the initial foundation members to one-year terms in order to initiate a cycle of staggered terms. Appointment of the foundation members must ensure a cross section of business, tourism, and economic development representation, and must ensure that at least one member represents rural concerns. 2. The foundation members shall elect an executive committee with a minimum of five and a maximum of seven foundation members, which shall include a chairman, vice chairman, secretary, treasurer, and up to three members at large. 3. The foundation shall seek funding for administrative expenses from private sector sources and shall seek and distribute private sector funds for use in commerce-related activities of the state. The private sector funds are not public moneys for any purpose and are not subject to section 12 of article X of the Constitution of North Dakota. 4. The foundation shall: a. Provide the governor advice and counsel in selecting the commissioner. b. Serve in an advisory role to the commissioner. c. Develop a strategic plan for economic development in the state and set accountability standards, measurements, and benchmarks to evaluate the effectiveness of the department in implementing the strategic plan. d. Monitor economic development activities and initiatives of the department. e. Recommend state and federal legislation relating to strengthening the state's economy and increasing the state's population. f. Monitor state and federal legislation and initiatives that may impact the state's economy and population. g. Serve as a source of expertise for developing public and private initiatives to strengthen the state's economy and increase the state's population.