(a) There is hereby created within the state of Kansas, a judicial department for the supervision of all courts in the state of Kansas. The supreme court shall divide the state into separate sections, not to exceed six in number, to be known as judicial departments, each of which shall be assigned a designation to distinguish it from the other departments. A justice of the supreme court shall be assigned as departmental justice for each judicial department.

(b) There is created hereby the position of judicial administrator of the courts, who shall be appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court to serve at the will of the chief justice. The judicial administrator shall have a broad knowledge of judicial administration and substantial prior experience in an administrative capacity. No person appointed as judicial administrator shall engage in the practice of law while serving in such capacity. Compensation of the judicial administrator shall be determined by the justices, but shall not exceed the salary authorized by law for the judge of the district court. The judicial administrator shall be responsible to the chief justice of the supreme court of the state of Kansas, and shall implement the policies of the court with respect to the operation and administration of the courts, subject to the provisions of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 20-384, and amendments thereto, under the supervision of the chief justice. The administrator shall perform such other duties as are provided by law or assigned by the supreme court or the chief justice.

(c) Expenditures from appropriations for district court operations to be paid by the state shall be made on vouchers approved by the judicial administrator. All claims for salaries, wages or other compensation for district court operations to be paid by the state shall be certified as provided in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-3731, and amendments thereto, by the judicial administrator.