A. The chief hearing officer may:
(1) adopt and promulgate rules pertaining to administrative hearings; and
(2) subject to appropriations, hire and contract for such professional, technical and support staff as needed to carry out the functions of the administrative hearings office; provided that such hiring and contracting be without regard to party affiliation and solely on the grounds of competence and fitness to perform the duties of the position. Employees of the administrative hearings office, except the chief hearing officer, are subject to the provisions of the Personnel Act [Chapter 10, Article 9 NMSA 1978].
B. The chief hearing officer shall:
(1) oversee the administrative hearings office; and
(2) considering the knowledge and experience of particular hearing officers, efficiency in the hearing process and potential conflicts of interest, assign and distribute the work of the office.