(a) The State Historian shall:

(1) Serve at the pleasure of the Director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage; and

(2) Devote his or her entire time of employment to the duties of his or her employment.

(b) The State Historian shall have:

(1) A doctoral degree in the field of history from an accredited institution of higher education; or

(2) Been determined by the Director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage to be qualified to perform the duties of State Historian after considering:

(A) The person's academic background;

(B) The person's editorial ability;

(C) The person's knowledge of and interest in history;

(D) The person's experience in the field of history; and

(E) Any other factor the director determines to be relevant to performing the functions of the position.

(c) (1) (A) The State Historian shall furnish bond to the state, with a corporate surety thereon, in the penal sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000).

(B) This bond shall be conditioned that he or she will faithfully perform his or her duties of employment and properly account for all funds received and disbursed by him or her.

(2) The State Historian shall not be required to furnish additional bond as disbursing agent, nor shall he or she be required to furnish additional bond as disbursing agent of other appropriations for which he or she may be designated disbursing agent under or pursuant to any law of this state unless so directed by the General Assembly.

(3) The bond so furnished shall be filed with the Secretary of State.

(4) An executed counterpart of the bond shall be filed with the Auditor of State.

(d) The State Historian shall administer the provisions of this chapter and the rules, regulations, and orders established under this chapter as instructed by the director.

(e) The State Historian shall employ such personnel as may be authorized by law and fix their compensation within the limits provided by law, subject in both respects, however, to approval by the director.