§ 482. State office of rural affairs. 1. There is hereby created in the executive department an office of rural affairs. The head of the office shall be the director of rural affairs who shall be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, and who shall hold office at the pleasure of the governor. The director shall receive an annual salary to be fixed by the governor within the amount available therefor by appropriation. He shall also be entitled to receive reimbursement for expenses actually and necessarily incurred by him in the performance of his duties. The director may appoint such officers and employees, agents, consultants, and special committees as he or she may deem necessary, prescribe their duties, fix their compensation and provide for reimbursement of their expenses within amounts available therefor by appropriation.

2. The director shall prepare and submit annually, on or before February first, a comprehensive report, pursuant to section four hundred ninety of this article.

3. The governor shall direct that all state agencies provide the director with assistance in advancing the purpose of the office and to assure that the activities of the office are fully coordinated with the activities of state agencies providing related services.