The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals is hereby authorized to hire two additional staff attorneys to assist that court in legal research and analysis, including the preparation of staff memoranda, and to perform such other duties as directed by the court. The staff attorneys shall be licensed to practice law in the State of Alabama and shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the court. The salaries of all staff attorneys shall be fixed within the range of the proper classification of attorneys under the merit system as may be determined by the court. Said staff attorneys shall be subject to the Merit System Act only as to the pay plan selected for them by the Court of Criminal Appeals. The court is hereby authorized to employ one additional secretary to serve at the pleasure of the court to be classified as a confidential assistant to the court, subject to the Merit System Act only as to pay plan.