Director; responsibility and authority

(1) The director of state courts shall be the chief nonjudicial officer of the court system in the state. The director shall be hired by and serve at the pleasure of the supreme court, under the direction of the chief justice. The director shall have authority and responsibility for the overall management of the unified judicial system. (2) The director shall have specific responsibility and authority: (a) For all state level court personnel, including hiring, separation and salary establishment, except the personal staffs of the supreme court justices and of the court of appeals judges. (b) For the development of the budget for the court system. (c) For legislative liaison and public information. (d) For the court information system. (e) For judicial education. (f) For interdistrict judicial assignments at the circuit level. (g) For planning and research for the court system. (3) The director shall serve as advisor to the supreme court, particularly on matters relating to improvements within the system, and shall exercise control over fiscal affairs, space allocation and equipment. (4) The director of state courts may require each judge to verify and certify vouchers for the judge, his or her court reporter and any assistant court reporters and, in certifying such salaries and expenses to the department of administration, may rely on the certifications received by the judges.