(a) The general functions and duties of the Department of Labor shall be as follows:

(1) To administer all labor laws and all laws relating to the relationship between employer and employee, including laws relating to hours of work, and working conditions in places of employment.

(2) To make or cause to be made all necessary inspections to determine whether or not the laws, the administration of which is delegated to the Department of Labor, and rules and regulations issued pursuant thereto, are being complied with by employers and employees, and to take such action as may be necessary to enforce compliance; provided, however, that there shall be no inspection of boilers which have been inspected, approved, and insured by an insurance company authorized to do business in the State of Alabama. Provided, however, that this provision may not prevent compliance verification by the department.

(3) To propose to the board of appeals, provided for in this chapter, such rules and regulations, or amendments as may be deemed advisable for the prevention of accidents or the prevention of sickness and diseases in mines. The Secretary of Labor may appoint committees composed of employers, employees, and experts to suggest and assist in the preparation of rules and regulations or amendments.

(4) To administer and perform, by and under the direction of the Secretary of Labor, all functions and duties of Chapter 4 of this title, and it shall have power and authority to adopt and enforce all reasonable rules and orders necessary or suitable to that end, and to require any reports, and to take any other action, consistent with Chapter 4 of this title, necessary or suitable to that end.

(5) To cooperate with all authorities of the United States having powers and duties under the Wagner-Peyser Act, approved June 6, 1933 (48 Stat. 113, United States Code, Title 29, Section 49) entitled "An Act to provide for the establishment of a national employment system and for cooperation with the states in the promotion of such system and for other purposes," and to do and perform all things necessary to secure for the State of Alabama the benefits of such act and the promotion and maintenance of a system of public employment offices. The Department of Labor is hereby designated as the state agency and vested with all powers necessary to cooperate with the United States Employment Service or its successor.

(6) To administer and perform, by and under the direction of the Secretary of Labor, all functions and duties of Chapter 5 of this title, and it shall have power and authority to adopt and enforce all reasonable rules and orders necessary or suitable to that end, and to require any reports, and to take any other action, consistent with Chapter 5 of this title, necessary or suitable to that end.

(7) To make investigations and studies and to collect, collate, and compile statistical information and to make and publish reports concerning the conditions of labor generally, including living conditions, hours of work, wages paid, and all matters relating to the enforcement and effect of the provisions of this title coming under the jurisdiction of the Department of Labor and the rules and regulations issued pursuant thereto and other laws relating to the Department of Labor. The Secretary of Labor shall deliver a copy of each such report to every person making application therefor.

(8) To make an annual report to the Governor covering the activities and accomplishments of the Department of Labor during the preceding fiscal year, accompanied by the recommendations of the Secretary of Labor. The report shall be printed and the Secretary of Labor shall deliver a copy to every person making application therefor.

(9) To make recommendations to the Legislature for the enactment of laws which, on the basis of information and statistics compiled by the Department of Labor, appear to be desirable for the protection of laborers and for promoting and fostering amicable relations between employers and employees.

(10) To administer and perform, by and under the direction of the Secretary of Labor, all functions and duties of Section 25-2-7, and it shall have power and authority to adopt and enforce all reasonable rules and orders necessary or suitable to that end, and to require any reports, and to take any other action, consistent with Section 25-2-7, necessary or suitable to that end.

(11) To administer and perform, by and under the direction of the Secretary of Labor, all functions and duties of Chapter 7 of this title and such other statutes as may be provided by law and to advise the Governor with respect to the provisions thereof, and it shall have power and authority to adopt and enforce all reasonable rules and orders necessary or suitable to that end, and to require any reports, and to take any other action, consistent with Chapter 7 of this title, necessary or suitable to that end.

(12) To administer and perform, by and under the direction of the Secretary of Labor, all functions and duties of Chapter 8 of this title, and it shall have the power and authority to adopt and enforce all reasonable rules and orders necessary or suitable to that end, and to require any reports, and to take any other action, consistent with Chapter 8 of this title, necessary or suitable to that end.

(13) To administer and perform, by and under the direction of the Secretary of Labor, all functions and duties of Chapter 9 of this title, and it shall have power and authority to adopt and enforce all reasonable rules and orders necessary or suitable to that end, and to require any reports, and to take any other action, consistent with Chapter 9 of this title, necessary or suitable to that end.

(14) To administer and perform, by and under the direction of the Secretary of Labor, all functions and duties of Chapter 10 of this title, and it shall have power and authority to adopt and enforce all reasonable rules and orders necessary or suitable to that end, and to require any reports, and to take any other action, consistent with Chapter 10 of this title, necessary or suitable to that end.

(15) To administer and perform, by and under the direction of the Secretary of Labor, all functions and duties of Chapter 11 of this title, and it shall have power and authority to adopt and enforce all reasonable rules and orders necessary or suitable to that end, and to require any reports, and to take any other action, consistent with Chapter 11 of this title, necessary or suitable to that end.

(16) To administer and perform, by and under the direction of the Secretary of Labor, all functions and duties of Chapter 12 of this title, and it shall have power and authority to adopt and enforce all reasonable rules and orders necessary or suitable to that end, and to require any reports, and to take any other action, consistent with Chapter 12 of this title, necessary or suitable to that end.

(17) To administer and perform, by and under the direction of the Secretary of Labor, all functions and duties of Chapter 13 of this title, and to require any reports, and to take any other action, consistent with Chapter 13 of this title, necessary or suitable to that end.

(18) To administer and perform, by and under the direction of the Secretary of Labor, all functions and duties of Chapter 14 of this title, and it shall have power and authority to adopt and enforce all reasonable rules and orders necessary or suitable to that end, and to require any reports, and to take any other action, consistent with Chapter 14 of this title, necessary or suitable to that end.

(b) The combining of the functions of the Department of Industrial Relations and Department of Labor made by Act 2012-496 shall reduce administrative costs and expenses paid from the State General Fund by an amount equal to at least 20 percent of the amount appropriated from the State General Fund to the Department of Labor for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012.