(a) All administrative functions, including without limitation the human resource and accounting operations, of the following boards, commissions, bureaus, committees, programs, and offices shall be administered under the direction and supervision of the Department of Agriculture:
(1) The State Plant Board;
(2) The Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission;
(3) The Arkansas Forestry Commission;
(4) The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission;
(5) The Arkansas State Board of Registration for Foresters;
(6) The Veterinary Medical Examining Board;
(7) The Abandoned Pesticide Advisory Board;
(8) The Commission on Water Well Construction;
(9) The Red River Compact Commission;
(10) The Arkansas Bureau of Standards;
(11) The Arkansas State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers;
(12) The Arkansas Farm Mediation Office;
(13) The Arkansas Boll Weevil Eradication Committee;
(14) The Arkansas Fire Ant Advisory Board;
(15) The Arkansas Milk Stabilization Board;
(16) The Arkansas Seed Arbitration Committee;
(17) The Arkansas Unpaved Roads Program;
(18) The Litter Utilization Committee;
(19) The Ouachita River Commission;
(20) The Arkansas Agriculture Board;
(21) The Private Wetland and Riparian Zone Creation, Restoration, and Conservation Committee; and
(22) The Wetlands Technical Advisory Committee.
(b) The boards, commissions, committees, bureaus, programs, and offices subject to transfer of the administrative functions under subsection (a) of this section shall make available to the department all records of whatever type concerning the administrative functions of the boards, commissions, committees, bureaus, programs, or offices.
(c)
(1) All employees of the boards, commissions, committees, bureaus, programs, or offices transferred under § 25-38-211 and subsection (a) of this section shall be employees of the department, unless otherwise provided by law.
(2) All job descriptions, duties, salaries, and benefits shall be determined by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture as consistent with Arkansas law, unless otherwise provided by law.
(3) All programs and positions funded by special funds allocated by law to the boards, commissions, committees, bureaus, programs, or offices subject to the transfer under § 25-38-211 and subsection (a) of this section shall continue to be used for the designated purposes of the programs and positions.
(4) The department shall provide all administrative support, employment needs, and staff to carry out the rules, directives, and orders promulgated or issued by the state entities transferred under subsection (a) of this section and § 25-38-211, unless otherwise provided by law.
(d) “Administrative functions” does not include the promulgation of rules or issuance of orders on behalf of any of the entities transferred under subsection (a) of this section and § 25-38-211.