§ 15-31-104 - State Forester. - Arkansas Statutes

15-31-104. State Forester.

The State Forester shall:

(1) Be employed by the Arkansas Forestry Commission, with the approval of the Governor, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor;

(2) (A) Administer the provisions of this chapter and the rules, regulations, and orders established under this chapter.

(B) (i) The commission, by adopted resolution, may delegate to the State Forester any of the powers or duties vested in or imposed upon it by this chapter.

(ii) Such delegated powers and duties may be exercised by the State Forester in the name of the commission;

(3) Be a person who shall:

(A) Have earned at a minimum a bachelor's degree in forestry from an accredited, four-year program at an institution of higher education; and

(B) Have not less than three (3) years' practical administrative and field experience in forestry;

(4) Be custodian of all property held in the name of the commission and shall be, ex officio, the disbursing agent of all funds available for its use; and

(5) (A) Furnish bond to the state, with a corporate surety thereon, in the penal sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), 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.

(B) An additional disbursing agent's bond shall not be required of the State Forester.

(C) The bond shall be filed with the Secretary of State and an executed counterpart thereof shall be filed with the Auditor of State.