(1) The Washington pollution liability insurance program is created as an independent agency of the state. The administrative head and appointing authority of the program shall be the director who shall be appointed by the governor, with the consent of the senate, and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. The salary for this office shall be set by the governor pursuant to RCW 43.03.040. The director shall appoint a deputy director. The director, deputy director, and up to three other employees are exempt from the civil service law, chapter 41.06 RCW.

(2) The director shall employ such other staff as are necessary to fulfill the responsibilities and duties of the director. The staff is subject to the civil service law, chapter 41.06 RCW. In addition, the director may contract with third parties for services necessary to carry out its activities where this will promote economy, avoid duplication of effort, and make best use of available expertise. To the extent necessary to protect the state from unintended liability and ensure quality program and contract design, the director shall contract with an organization or organizations with demonstrated experience and ability in managing and designing pollution liability insurance and with an organization or organizations with demonstrated experience and ability in managing and designing pollution liability reinsurance. The director shall enter into such contracts after competitive bid but need not select the lowest bid. Any such contractor or consultant is prohibited from releasing, publishing, or otherwise using any information made available to it under its contractual responsibility without specific permission of the program director. The director may call upon other agencies of the state to provide technical support and available information as necessary to assist the director in meeting the director's responsibilities under this chapter. Agencies shall supply this support and information as promptly as circumstances permit.

(3) The director may appoint ad hoc technical advisory committees to obtain expertise necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.

Severability—Headings and captions not law—Effective date—1994 sp.s. c 9: See RCW 18.79.900 through 18.79.902.