The board shall elect from among its members, other than the Director of Water Resources or the Director of Fish and Game or their designees, a chairman who is ex officio the “Colorado River Commissioner.” The chairman shall serve at the pleasure of the board.

The commissioner shall serve without compensation, but he shall be reimbursed for traveling and other expenses actually and necessarily incurred in the performance of his duties.

The commissioner shall perform the duties imposed upon him by this chapter under the direction of the board.

The commissioner shall consult and advise with the board in exercising the powers and performing the duties enumerated in this chapter and make such reports and recommendations as he deems proper or as the board requests, to the end that the rights and interests of the State, its agencies and citizens, in, to, and in respect of, the water of the Colorado River System and the use thereof may be properly safeguarded and protected.

The commissioner shall exercise on behalf of the State every right and power granted to the State or to any representative of it by Section 16 of the act of Congress designated the “Boulder Canyon Project Act.”

The commissioner shall investigate past, present, and potential uses of the water of the Colorado River System within and without the State.

The commissioner shall investigate, coordinate, collate, and preserve information, facts, and data bearing upon the claims of all States and of all public or private agencies within and without the State to and in respect of the water and the use of water of the Colorado River System.

The commissioner shall confer with representatives of other States in the Colorado River basin, representatives of the United States, and others concerning problems and measures relating to the development of the Colorado River basin, the use of the water of the Colorado River System, and the protection of the interests therein of the State and of the United States, and shall negotiate respecting such problems and measures and discuss the same and formulate and recommend to the Governor and the Legislature measures, agreements, and legislation deemed for the benefit of the State and the United States.

The commissioner shall do and perform all other things deemed necessary or expedient to carry out the purposes of this part.