(a) There is established the Office of Governmental Accountability. The executive administrator of the office shall serve as the administrative head of the office, who shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of § 1-301.

(b) The Office of Governmental Accountability shall provide personnel, payroll, affirmative action and administrative and business office functions and information technology associated with such functions for the following: The Judicial Review Council established under § 51-51k, Judicial Selection Commission established under § 51-44a, Board of Firearms Permit Examiners established under § 29-32b, Office of the Child Advocate established under § 46a-13k, Office of the Victim Advocate established under § 46a-13b, State Contracting Standards Board established under § 4e-2 and Office of the Correction Ombuds, established under § 18-81qq. The personnel, payroll, affirmative action and administrative and business office functions of said offices, commission, council and boards shall be merged and consolidated within the Office of Governmental Accountability.

(c) The executive administrator may employ necessary staff to carry out the administrative functions of the Office of Governmental Accountability, within available appropriations. Such necessary staff of the Office of Governmental Accountability shall be in classified service.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect or limit the independent decision-making authority of the Judicial Review Council, Judicial Selection Commission, Board of Firearms Permit Examiners, Office of the Child Advocate, Office of the Victim Advocate, State Contracting Standards Board or Office of the Correction Ombuds. Such decision-making authority includes, but is not limited to, decisions concerning budgetary issues and concerning the employment of necessary staff to carry out the statutory duties of each such office, commission, council or board.