In this section, “chief information officer” means: an individual acting as the senior executive officer responsible for the strategic planning, management, and oversight of an agency’s information technology and computer systems and supporting its mission and goals, including through: procurement; compliance with State and federal regulations; and providing information technology leadership to agency leadership; or a position with equivalent duties. Except as provided under paragraph (2) of this subsection, this section applies to a unit of the Executive Branch of State government that employs a chief information officer. This section does not apply to the University System of Maryland. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may set the pay scale for chief information officer positions in order to assist with recruitment and retention.