(a) The judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals are hereby authorized to appoint and employ one additional clerical employee to serve in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Criminal Appeals.
(b) The duties of this employee shall be to assist the clerk of the court and perform such duties as may be required by the judges of the court.
(c) This employee shall serve as a confidential assistant to the court and shall be subject to the Merit System Act only as to pay plan.