(1) The secretary shall have any and all necessary power and authority, subject to appropriate provisions of the statutes, to create positions, to retain positions in effect prior to his or her appointment as secretary, and to employ the necessary personnel in such positions to enable the secretary to perform the functions of the cabinet. The secretary shall designate a person to act as deputy for him or her in the exercise of his duties in his absence.
(2) All appointments to positions not in the classified service shall be made pursuant to KRS 12.050.
(3) The secretary may designate a deputy to sign any or all final orders of the cabinet, whether the orders are the result of hearing or agreement.