37-1-121. Duties of commissioner -- definitions. (1) In addition to the powers and duties under 2-15-112 and 2-15-121, the commissioner of labor and industry shall:
(a) at the request of a party, appoint an impartial hearings examiner to conduct hearings whenever any board or department program holds a contested case hearing. The hearings examiner shall conduct hearings in a proper and legal manner.
(b) establish the qualifications of and hire all personnel to perform the administrative, legal, and clerical functions of the department for the boards. Boards within the department do not have authority to establish the qualifications of, hire, or terminate personnel. The department shall consult with the boards regarding recommendations for qualifications for executive or executive director positions.
(c) approve all contracts and expenditures by boards within the department. A board within the department may not enter into a contract or expend funds without the approval of the commissioner.
(d) provide oversight and supervision of the duties and authority exercised by boards regulated under Title 37, other than chapters 42, 43, and 61, by exercising active supervision authority to approve or disapprove any board action identified by the department as restraining or potentially restraining competition in trade or commerce. Subject to the provisions of 37-1-122(6), the commissioner shall determine if the board action is made or taken pursuant to a clearly articulated state policy and if the restraint or potential restraint of trade or commerce is reasonable and necessary to protect the public health, safety, or welfare. Any approval or disapproval under this subsection (1)(d) must be in writing, comply with the provisions in 37-1-122, and set forth the particular reasons supporting the determination. A disapproval determination may include the commissioner's recommended modifications, if any, for the board's consideration. The commissioner may assign duties, as necessary, but may not assign final approval or disapproval.
(2) If the department disapproves or modifies any board action under subsection (1)(d), the department and not the board may be liable for claims resulting from the disapproval or modification.
(3) As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Board action" means a policy, rule, or other action taken by a board subject to subsection (1)(d).
(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of labor and industry unless otherwise specified.
History: En. 82A-1604 by Sec. 1, Ch. 272, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 14, Ch. 533, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 82A-1604; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 274, L. 1981; Sec. 37-1-102, MCA 1979; redes. 37-1-121 by Code Commissioner, 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 165, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 22, Ch. 429, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 107, Ch. 483, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 467, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 322, L. 2017.