(a) There is hereby established a department of labor. The department shall be administered under the direction and supervision of the secretary of labor who shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate as provided in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-4315b, and amendments thereto, and who shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. Except as provided by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 46-2601, and amendments thereto, no person appointed as secretary shall exercise any power, duty or function as secretary until confirmed by the senate. The secretary shall be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act and shall receive an annual salary fixed by the governor.

(b) The provisions of the Kansas governmental operations accountability law apply to the department of labor, and the department is subject to audit, review and evaluation under such law.