(1) The department of general services, the state museum, the Tennessee historical society, and the office of the state architect shall provide appropriate staff assistance to the Tennessee residence commission.
(2) In addition, the commission has the authority to contract pursuant to state law for the services of experts and specialists in the area of adaptive restoration and preservation of historic buildings. All contracts shall be executed by the commissioner of finance and administration, with the approval of the comptroller of the treasury and the attorney general and reporter; provided, that design and construction contracts are subject to the approval of the state building commission.