(1) As used in this section, "appointee" means:
- (a) a deputy director;
- (b) a division director;
- (c) any assistant directors and administrative assistants who report directly to a department head, deputy director, or their equivalent; and
- (d) any other person whose appointment is required by law to be approved by the governor.
- (2) After the effective date of this chapter, any new appointee is a merit exempt employee.
- (3) Notwithstanding the requirements of this chapter, any appointee who is currently a nonexempt employee does not lose that nonexempt status because of this chapter.
- (4) The division shall develop financial and other incentives to encourage appointees who are nonexempt to voluntarily convert to merit exempt status.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 344, 2021 General Session