(a) The employees of the department shall be governed by such rules of position classification, appointment, promotion, demotion, dismissal, transfer, qualification, compensation, seniority, privileges, tenure, and other employment standards as may now or hereafter be established under Chapter 20 of Title 45.

(b) The department shall pay its pro rata share of the administrative costs of operating the State Merit System of Personnel Administration, in the manner prescribed in paragraph (6) of subsection (b) of Code Section 45-20-4.