The Secretary of State shall appoint a State Archivist subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over state and local government and to confirmation by the Legislature. The State Archivist shall be chosen without reference to party affiliation and solely on the ground of professional competence to perform the duties of that office. The State Archivist shall hold office for a term of 6 years from the date of the appointment and until a successor has been appointed and qualified. The compensation of the State Archivist shall be fixed by the Governor.   [PL 1995, c. 148, §5 (AMD).]

This section shall not affect the term of the person holding office as State Archivist on October 1, 1977.   [PL 1977, c. 674, §2 (RPR).]