Section 33-57-6. Employees and consultants

   The administrator shall employ and fix the compensation of at least one actuary as a regular full-time employee to assist the advocate, and the administrator is authorized to employ and fix the compensation of such other assistants as the advocate may need, including without limitation consultants, expert witnesses, accountants, attorneys, investigators, stenographers, or other technical or clerical assistants as may be necessary to carry out the advocate's duties; provided, however, that no such employment may occur nor may any contracts for payment of fees or expenses be paid for consultants, expert witnesses, accountants, attorneys, investigators, stenographers, or other technical or clerical assistants unless such employment or such contracts are first approved by the administrator and can be achieved using funds appropriated to the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs for such purposes. The office of the advocate shall keep suitable and proper records of all such expenditures. The compensation of the advocate and such staff shall be paid from state funds appropriated to the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs for such purposes.

Code 1981, § 33-57-6, enacted by Ga. L. 1999, p. 335, § 2.