In this chapter: I. "Agency" means the executive branch and any department, division, board, commission, or equivalent entity of the executive branch. II. "Agency head" means the commissioner or equivalent leader of any department, and the highest ranking member of any commission, board, institution, bureau, or office, which is not a subordinate component of a department or equivalent agency, by whatever name called, other than the legislative and judicial branches of state government. III. "Family