(b) The salaries of the members and secretary of the commission shall be fixed by the governor, subject to the approval of the budget agency; however, the salaries of the chairman and the members shall not be less than the following annual minimum amounts:

1. (1) For the chairman, sixty-five thousand dollars ($65,000).
2. (2) For the members, sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) each.

(c) The commission may appoint one (1) or more administrative law judges who shall be responsible to and serve at the will and pleasure of the commission. While serving, the administrative law judges shall devote full time to the duties of the commission and shall not be actively engaged in any other occupation, profession, or business that constitutes a conflict of interest or otherwise interferes with carrying out their duties as administrative law judges. The salary of each administrative law judge shall be fixed by the commission subject to the approval of the budget agency but may not be less than the following annual amounts:

1. (1) For the chief administrative law judge, forty-five thousand dollars ($45,000).
2. (2) For all other administrative law judges, forty thousand dollars ($40,000).

(h) The commission may:

1. (1) employ, with the approval of the governor and the state budget agency, sufficient professional staff, including specialists, technicians, and analysts, who are exempt from the job classifications and compensation schedules established under IC 4-15 ; and

2. (2) purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire for the commission's internal use sufficient technical equipment necessary for the commission to carry out its statutory duties.

   Formerly: Acts 1941, c.101, s.3; Acts 1943, c.211, s.1; Acts 1963, c.326, s.2. As amended by Acts 1979, P.L.84, SEC.1; P.L.43-1983, SEC.4; P.L.23-1988, SEC.13; P.L.92-1993, SEC.1; P.L.136-2018, SEC.43.