(a) There is hereby created a body to be known as the Jackson County Work Release and Pretrial Release Commission, hereinafter called the commission. The commission shall be composed of seven persons, including the following: The Sheriff of Jackson County, the district attorney of the Thirty-eighth Judicial Circuit, a circuit judge from the Thirty-eighth Judicial Circuit to be appointed by the presiding judge of the circuit, a judge of the District Court of Jackson County to be appointed by the presiding district court judge in Jackson County, a person appointed by the Jackson County Commission, a person appointed by the City Council of the City of Scottsboro, the Circuit Court Clerk of Jackson County.

(b) The commission shall have the duty to implement this subpart and to generally superintend all administrative functions pursuant hereto, subject, however, to the provisions of duly promulgated rules of court of the circuit and district judges of Jackson County. The commission shall not, however, be empowered to direct any judicial officer in the exercise of his or her judicial functions. The commission, subject to any applicable laws pertaining to the employment and dismissal of county employees, shall have the power to employ and dismiss personnel employed to carry out this subpart, except judicial officers, and to direct and supervise such personnel.

(c) The commission shall make a continuing study of all activities conducted pursuant to this subpart and shall recommend to the Legislature any changes which it deems to be appropriate in the law to carry out and facilitate the purposes of this subpart.

(d) No agreement for the merger of the work release program provided for under Sections 45-36-232.20 to 45-36-232.24, inclusive, with any similar program operated by the State Department of Corrections or any other department, agency, or bureau of the State of Alabama shall be effective without the approval of the commission hereby created and, unless approved by such commission, shall be of no force and effect.

(e) The commission shall be empowered to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses before the commission.

(f) The commission is hereby designated as the agency to apply for, receive, and administer any grants of funds by the United States Government or any agency thereof, the State of Alabama, or any agency thereof, or any private or quasi governmental foundation, corporation, firm, or agency. All funds received to the account of the commission shall be deposited to the fund established by Section 45-36-232.23, and shall be disbursed by the Jackson County Commission upon vouchers submitted by the commission.

(g) The commission shall elect a chair from among its membership and shall make its own rules for conducting its affairs. All meetings of the commission shall be in the Jackson County Courthouse and shall be held at the call of the duly elected chair. The chair shall be required to call a meeting of the commission upon request in writing of any three members of the commission.