The Franchise Tax Board, with the consent and approval of two-thirds of the membership of the Senate, may appoint an executive officer who shall be a civil executive officer and shall perform such duties as are delegated to him by the Franchise Tax Board. The executive officer may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Franchise Tax Board. The Legislature hereby requests the Franchise Tax Board to designate said executive officer as the person holding the position confidential to it, within the meaning of subdivision (e) of Section 4 of Article VII of the Constitution. The annual salary of the executive officer shall be fifty-one thousand six hundred twenty-four dollars

($51,624). The executive officer shall employ, in addition to existing employees of the Franchise Tax Commissioner, such other assistants and clerical and other employees as he deems necessary for the effective conduct of his work, and shall fix their compensation in accordance with law.