§ 97-77. North Carolina Industrial Commission created; members appointed by Governor; terms of office; chairman.
§ 97‑77. North CarolinaIndustrial Commission created; members appointed by Governor; terms of office;chairman.
(a) There is herebycreated a commission to be known as the North Carolina Industrial Commission,consisting of seven commissioners who shall devote their entire time to theduties of the Commission. The Governor shall appoint the members of theCommission, one for a term of two years, one for a term of four years, and onefor a term of six years. Of the additional appointments made in 1994, one shallbe for a term expiring June 30, 1996, one for a term expiring June 30, 1998,and two for terms expiring June 30, 2000. Upon the expiration of each term asabove mentioned, the Governor shall appoint a successor for a term of sixyears, and thereafter the term of office of each commissioner shall be sixyears. Not more than three appointees shall be persons who, on account of theirprevious vocations, employment or affiliations, can be classed asrepresentatives of employers, and not more than three appointees shall bepersons who, on account of their previous vocations, employment oraffiliations, can be classed as representatives of employees.
(b) One member, to bedesignated by the Governor, shall act as chairman. The chairman shall be thechief judicial officer and the chief executive officer of the IndustrialCommission; such authority shall be exercised pursuant to the provisions ofChapter 126 of the General Statutes and the rules and policies of the StatePersonnel Commission. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Chapter, thechairman shall have such authority as is necessary to direct and oversee theCommission. The chairman may delegate any duties and responsibilities as may benecessary to ensure the proper management of the Industrial Commission.Notwithstanding the provisions of this Chapter, Chapter 143A, and Chapter 143Bof the General Statutes, the chairman may hire or fire personnel and transferpersonnel within the Industrial Commission.
The Governor may designate onevice‑chairman from the remaining commissioners. The vice‑chairmanshall assume the powers of the chairman upon request of the chairman or whenthe chairman is absent for 24 hours or more. The authority delegated to thevice‑chairman shall be relinquished immediately upon the return of thechairman or at the request of the chairman. (1929, c. 120, s. 51; 1931,c. 274, s. 8; 1991, c. 264, s. 1; 1993, c. 399, s. 3; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994),c. 769, s. 28.15(a).)