The commissioner of mental health and developmental disabilities shall be allowed all actual traveling and necessary expenses incurred by the commissioner while in the discharge of official duties outside of the city of Topeka. The commissioner shall:

(1) Be the executive and administrative officer of mental health and developmental disabilities;

(2) be directly responsible for carrying out all the general policies of the secretary for aging and disability services and the duties of the Kansas department for aging and disability services relating to the management, operation and maintenance of the institutions operated by the commissioner, and the treatment, education, care and housing of the patients and residents in the institutions and the recruitment and training of the staff for the institutions;

(3) cooperate with the commissioners of adult and youth services for the purpose of coordinating the various social services with the work and programs of the institutions in accordance with policies established by the secretary;

(4) have, and may exercise, such other powers and perform such other duties as the secretary shall confer or impose upon the commissioner.

In case there is any apparent conflict between the powers of the superintendents or acting superintendents, and the powers of the secretary or the commissioner, the determination of such question by the secretary shall be final.