With the advice and counsel of the North Dakota development foundation, the governor shall appoint a commissioner to supervise, control, and administer the department. The commissioner serves at the pleasure of the governor and receives a salary set by the governor within the limits of legislative appropriations. The commissioner:
1. Shall file an oath of office in the usual form before commencing to perform the duties of the commissioner;
2. Shall serve as chairman of the cabinet;
3. Shall appoint personnel as may be determined necessary to carry out the duties of the department;
4. Shall manage the operations of the department and oversee each of the divisions;
5. Shall assume central responsibilities to develop, implement, and coordinate a working network of commerce service providers;
6. Shall coordinate the department's services with commerce-related services of other state agencies;
7. Shall advise and cooperate with departments and agencies of the federal government and of other states; private businesses, agricultural organizations, and associations; research institutions; and with any individual or other private or public entity;
8. May enter contracts upon terms and conditions as determined by the commissioner to be reasonable and to effectuate the purposes of this chapter;
9. Shall report between the first and tenth legislative days of each regular legislative session to a standing committee of each house of the legislative assembly as determined by the legislative management and shall report annually to the foundation:
a. On the department's goals and objectives since the last report;
b. On the department's goals and objectives for the period until the next report;
c. On the department's long-term goals and objectives;
d. On the department's activities and measurable results occurring since the last report; and e. On commerce benchmarks, including the average annual wage in the state, the gross state product exclusive of agriculture, and the number of primary sector jobs in the state;
10. May not certify as a primary sector business a compassion center registered under chapter 19-24.1;
11. Shall adopt rules necessary to implement this chapter; and 12. May take any actions necessary and proper to implement this chapter.