(1) The commissioner is authorized to employ not more than three (3) actuaries, the qualifications of whom shall be acceptable to the commissioner, together with assistants deemed necessary by the commissioner for efficient administration of duties assigned to the actuaries. The commissioner shall assign the duties to be performed by the actuaries and assistants for the department.
(2) The commissioner shall fix the compensation of the actuaries and assistants employed pursuant to this section and shall provide for the payment of expenses incurred by the actuaries and assistants while engaged in the performance of the duties assigned; provided, that any salary or per diem compensation shall not exceed a reasonable amount commensurate with usual compensation for like services, and the allowances of expenses shall not exceed the actual expenses incurred.