(a) The chair of the board may:
(1) employ personnel as necessary to assist all members of the board in performing the board's duties;
(2) prescribe the duties of personnel;
(3) compensate personnel through funds made available by the legislature; and
(4) determine whether to promote, terminate, or take any other employment action regarding personnel.
(b) An individual employed under this section is:
(1) eligible for membership in the employee class of the Employees Retirement System of Texas and eligible to participate in the group benefits program under Chapter 1551, Insurance Code;
(2) entitled to reimbursement through funds made available by the legislature for actual and necessary expenses the individual incurs in carrying out the individual's official duties; and
(3) directly accountable to the chair.
(c) The agency shall provide administrative support, including human resources, budgetary, accounting, purchasing, payroll, information technology, and legal support services, to the board as necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.