As used in this chapter, the term:

(1) "Commission" means the State Personnel Oversight Commission.

(2) "Employer" means an employing unit within the government of the State of Georgia, including every department, commission, board, bureau, agency, branch of government, or any other employing unit by whatever name called, which has the authority and power to appoint, employ, release, separate, or fail to reappoint public officers or employees.

(3) "Involuntary separation" means the release or separation from state service of an officer or employee who is entitled to coverage under the involuntary separation retirement benefits provisions of Code Section 47-2-123.

(4) "State department" means a unit of state government which is a budget unit in the General Appropriations Act.