The Secretary of State shall appoint a competent attorney to be designated as an assistant secretary of state, who shall have the responsibilities of performing the function of the former state land office in addition to any other duties as assigned by the Secretary of State.
The secretary of state is empowered and authorized to employ such office assistants, clerical employees and field inspectors on either a temporary or permanent basis as shall be necessary to perform the former duties and functions of the state land office. The Assistant Secretary of State hereby created shall be in addition to any other assistant secretaries of state previously designated or heretofore authorized. The State Land Commissioner elected pursuant to Section 7-11-1 shall deliver the seal, all records, reports and other property of the state land office to the Secretary of State prior to the expiration of his term of office.