Commissioners and Directors

V.S.A. tit. 3, ch. 51, subch. 3

in effect

3 V.S.A. § 2851 Commissioners—Appointment; term

2851. Commissioners—Appointment; term The Secretary, with the approval of the Governor, shall appoint a commissioner of each department, who shall be the chief executive and administrative officer and head of the department and shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary. The term of the commissioner shall be concurrent with that of the Secretary. Added 1969, No. 246 (Adj. Sess.), § 5(a), eff. June 1, 1970.

3 V.S.A. § 2852 Mandatory duties

2852. Mandatory duties (a) The commissioner shall, with approval of the Secretary, determine the policies of the department and may exercise the powers and shall perform the duties required for its effective administration. (b) In addition to other duties imposed by law, the commissioner shall: (1) administer the laws assigned to the department; (2) coordinate and integrate the work of the divisions; and (3) supervise and control all staff functions. Added 1969, No. 246 (Adj. Sess.), § 5(b), (c), eff. June 1, 1970; amended 1979, No. 159 (Adj. Sess.), § 5.

3 V.S.A. § 2853 Permissive duties; approval of Secretary

2853. Permissive duties; approval of Secretary The commissioner, with the approval of the Secretary, may: (1) Transfer appropriations or parts thereof within or between divisions and branches, consistent with the purposes for which the appropriations were made. (2) Transfer classified positions within or between divisions subject only to State personnel laws and rules. (3) Cooperate with the appropriate federal agencies and administer federal funds in support of programs within the department. (4) Submit plans and reports, and in other respects comply with federal law and regulations that pertain to programs administered by the department. (5) Adopt rules consistent with law for the internal administration of the department and its programs. (6) Appoint a deputy commissioner. The provisions of subsections 253(d) and (e) of this title shall apply. (7) Create such advisory councils or committees as he or she deems necessary within the department, and appoint their members, for a term not exceeding his or hers. (8) Provide training and instruction for any employees of the department, at the expense of the department, in educational institutions or other places. (9) Organize, reorganize, transfer, or abolish divisions, staff functions, or sections within the department. This authority shall not extend to divisions or other bodies created by law. Added 1969, No. 246 (Adj. Sess.), § 5(d), eff. June 1, 1970; amended 2025, No. 18, § 19, eff. May 13, 2025.

3 V.S.A. § 2854 Directors

2854. Directors (a) A director shall administer each division within the Agency. The commissioners, with the approval of the Secretary, shall appoint the directors for divisions that are part of a department, and the Secretary shall appoint any other directors. All directors shall be appointed subject to the requirements of chapter 13 of this title. (b) Each division and its officers shall be under the direction and control of the commissioner or the Secretary, except with regard to judicial or quasi-judicial acts or duties vested in them by law. (c) No regulation may be issued by a director of a division without the approval of the commissioner or his or her designee and the Secretary. Added 1969, No. 246 (Adj. Sess.), § 6(a), (c), (d), eff. June 1, 1970; amended 1979, No. 159 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 2025, No. 91 (Adj. Sess.), § 20, eff. April 30, 2026.

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/03/051Fetched: 10/21/2026