(a)

(1) Whenever an appointing authority proposes to fill a position in the preferred service, the authority shall submit to the commissioner a statement showing the position to be filled, the duties for such position, the official station, the minimum qualifications and preferred skill, abilities, competencies and knowledge of the person to be appointed.

(2) The commissioner shall refer a list of eligibles who meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

(3) An appointing authority must offer an invitation to interview to a minimum of three (3) applicants from the referred list of eligibles, if three (3) or more applicants are on the list. If less than three (3) applicants are on the list of eligibles, the appointing authority must invite each person on the list to interview.

(4) Within thirty (30) days after being referred a list of eligibles, the appointing authority shall appoint one (1) of the applicants on the list of eligibles.

(b) Upon the request of the appointing authority, the commissioner may establish employment, promotional, unit, divisional or any other list of eligibles as deemed necessary or appropriate.

(c) If the official station of the vacancy to be filled is permanently located outside the geographic boundaries of the state, then the appointing authority may fill the vacancy without complying with subsections (a) and (b).

(d) In applying this chapter, no person shall give any weight to political opinions or affiliation. No person holding a position in the preferred service shall solicit, directly or indirectly, or require any other person to solicit, directly or indirectly, donations or contributions for any political party, candidate, cause or purpose in order to acquire or deny a position in state service or to materially affect the retention, promotion or demotion of any employee in state service.