There is created in the executive branch the “department of environment”. The department shall be a cabinet department and shall include, but not be limited to, an information technology division and the programs and functions of the environmental improvement division. All references in the law to the environmental improvement agency or the environmental improvement division of the health and environment department shall be construed to mean the department. All references to the director of the environmental improvement division shall be construed to mean the secretary. The department shall consist of the staff of the environmental improvement division and such other powers, duties and personnel of the former health and environment department as may be assigned by the governor pursuant to executive order.