1. The attorney general is hereby authorized to appoint such assistant attorneys general as may be necessary to properly perform the duties of his office and shall fix the compensation of such assistants within the limits of the amount appropriated by the general assembly. Said assistant attorneys general shall hold their office at the pleasure of the attorney general, shall possess the same qualifications as the attorney general, and before entering upon the discharge of their duties shall each take and subscribe to an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and of the state of Missouri and to faithfully demean themselves in office. It shall be their duty to assist the attorney general in his official duties with power and authority under his direction to represent him in the discharge of all the duties of his office.

2. The attorney general may, at the request of any officer, department, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state, assign assistant attorneys general to perform the duties prescribed by law before or upon behalf of such officer, department, board, bureau, commission or agency and may, upon request as aforesaid, from time to time reassign such assistants.

3. The attorney general is also authorized to appoint a chief clerk, stenographers, typists, clerks, investigators and such other employees as shall be necessary to properly perform the duties of his office and shall fix the compensation of persons thus employed within the limits of the amount appropriated by the general assembly. Said employees shall serve during the pleasure of the attorney general. The assistant attorneys general and the chief clerk, stenographers, typists, clerks, investigators and other employees shall be paid in the same manner and at the same time as the attorney general. The compensation and expenses of said assistants and employees may be paid out of any state or federal funds appropriated to said department for such purposes.