There may be a deputy commissioner of the department, who shall be appointed by the commissioner of agriculture and forestry with consent of the Senate and who shall serve at the pleasure of the commissioner of agriculture and forestry at a salary fixed by the commissioner of agriculture and forestry which salary shall not exceed the amount approved for such position by the legislature.  If appointed, the deputy commissioner shall be the first assistant of the commissioner of agriculture and forestry.  The duties and functions of the deputy commissioner shall be determined and assigned by the commissioner of agriculture and forestry.  He shall serve as acting commissioner of agriculture and forestry in the absence of the commissioner as provided by law.

Added by Acts 1977, No. 83, §1, eff. June 22, 1977; Acts 2009, No. 24, §3, eff. June 12, 2009.