(1) The committee shall interview persons applying for the position of staff director as to qualifications and ability and shall make recommendations thereon to the executive committee, which shall appoint the staff director as provided in section 2-3-303 (3). The staff director shall be responsible to the committee for the collection and assembling of all data and the preparation of reports and recommendations. The staff director shall also be responsible for preparing for consideration by the committee analyses of all requests for funds. With the approval of the committee, the staff director may appoint such additional professional, technical, clerical, or other employees necessary to perform the functions assigned to the committee. The staff director and such additional personnel shall be appointed without reference to affiliation and solely on the basis of ability to perform the duties of the position. They shall be employees of the general assembly and shall not be subject to the state personnel system laws. The committee shall establish appropriate qualifications and compensation for all positions. With the consent of the committee, the chairperson may contract for professional services by private consultants as needed.
(2) Repealed.