15.05 Secretaries.
(1) Selection.
(a) If a department is under the direction and supervision of a secretary, the secretary shall be nominated by the governor, and with the advice and consent of the senate appointed, to serve at the pleasure of the governor.
(b) Except as provided in pars. (c) and (d), if a department is under the direction and supervision of a board, the board shall appoint a secretary to serve at the pleasure of the board outside the classified service. In such departments, the powers and duties of the board shall be regulatory, advisory and policy-making, and not administrative. All of the administrative powers and duties of the department are vested in the secretary, to be administered by him or her under the direction of the board. The secretary, with the approval of the board, shall promulgate rules for administering the department and performing the duties assigned to the department.
(c) The secretary of natural resources shall be nominated by the governor, and with the advice and consent of the senate appointed, to serve at the pleasure of the governor.
(d) The secretary of agriculture, trade and consumer protection shall be nominated by the governor, and with the advice and consent of the senate appointed, to serve at the pleasure of the governor.
(1m) Secretary of veterans affairs. Before making his or her nomination for the secretary of veterans affairs, the governor shall personally consult with the presiding officers of at least 6 Wisconsin veterans organizations.
(3) Assistant deputy secretary and executive assistant.
(a) Each secretary may appoint an assistant deputy secretary to serve at his or her pleasure outside the classified service. The assistant deputy secretary shall perform duties as the secretary prescribes.
(b) The attorney general, the adjutant general, the director of the technical college system, and the state superintendent of public instruction may appoint an executive assistant to serve at his or her pleasure outside the classified service. The executive assistant shall perform duties as his or her appointing authority prescribes.
(3m) Field district or field area directors. Each secretary may appoint a director under the classified service for each district or area office established in his or her department under s. 15.02 (3) (b).
(4) Official oath. Each secretary shall take and file the official oath prior to assuming office.
(5) Assistant deputy secretary and executive assistant approvals. Positions for which appointment is made under sub. (3) may be authorized only under s. 16.505.
History: 1973 c. 90; 1977 c. 4, 196; 1985 a. 18; 1985 a. 332 s. 251 (3); 1989 a. 31, 169; 1993 a. 399; 1995 a. 27; 2011 a. 36; 2013 a. 20.