(1) The commission shall have power to employ, during its pleasure, such officers, experts, engineers, statisticians, accountants, inspectors, clerks and employees as it may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this act or to perform the duties and exercise the powers conferred by law upon the commission.
(2) In addition to the number of nonclassified employees provided by other provisions of law, the commission shall have the authority to employ not more than three (3) nonclassified employees as regulatory policy strategists reporting directly to the commission and one (1) nonclassified pipeline safety specialist.