Notwithstanding N.C. Gen. Stat. § 114-2.3, the Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs shall have the power to appoint all employees, including consultants and legal counsel, necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the office. These employees shall be subject to the North Carolina Human Resources Act, except that employees in positions designated as exempt under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 126-5(d)(1) are not subject to the Act, in accordance with the provisions of that section. (2015-241, s. 24.1(b); 2015-268, s. 7.3(a).)