(a)      The Secretary shall be responsible for the budget of his office and for the budgets of the other boards, offices, and agencies within the jurisdiction of the Department.

      (b)      Subject to the provisions of Title 1 of this article, the Secretary shall be responsible for promulgating rules and regulations for his office. He shall review and shall have the power to approve or disapprove or revise the rules and regulations of all of the boards, offices, agencies, commissions, or other units within the jurisdiction of the Department.

      (c)      The Secretary shall have a seal for purposes of authentication of copies of records or papers in his office.

      (d)      The Secretary shall be responsible for the coordination and direction of all planning facilities initiated by the Secretary's office. In addition, the Secretary shall keep fully apprised of plans, proposals and projects of the departments and other agencies or units within the jurisdiction of the Department of Business and Economic Development, and shall have power to approve, disapprove or modify any such plan, proposal, or project.

      (e)      Wherever it is provided by law that an appointment to a particular office within the Department is to be made by the Secretary with the approval of the Governor, and the appointee is to serve at the pleasure of the Secretary, the Secretary shall not remove the appointee without first obtaining the approval of the Governor.

      (f)      In addition to the meetings of any board or commission within the Department, which are provided for by law or are called by the chairman thereof, the Secretary may, whenever the Secretary deems it appropriate, call a meeting of such boards or commissions for the consideration of any subject which the Secretary considers necessary and proper.

      (g)      (1)      Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Secretary may exercise or perform any power, duty, responsibility, or function assigned to any of the administrations, boards, commissions, offices, authorities, divisions, or other agencies within the jurisdiction of the Department.

            (2)      This subsection does not apply to the powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities of the Maryland Economic Development Commission as provided in Title 1 of this article.

      (h)      Except as provided by law, all divisions, commissions, boards, offices, authorities, or other agencies of the Department shall report to the Secretary or the Secretary's designee as provided in regulations or written directives promulgated by the Secretary.

      (i)      (1)      Department employees hired after June 30, 1995, shall be in the executive service, management service, or special appointments in the State Personnel Management System.

            (2)      If a position is held by a classified service employee on June 30, 1995, the position remains a classified service position or its equivalent in the State Personnel Management System until the position becomes vacant.

            (3)      In accordance with the State budget, the Secretary shall set the compensation of Department employees.