(a) Employee Suggestion. A proposal by one or more employees, which will reduce or eliminate state expenditures, or improve operations, procedures, or safety.

(b) Special Act. An extraordinary act of heroism by a state employee extending far above and beyond the normal call of duty or service performed at great risk to his/her own life in an effort to save human life.

(c) Special Service. An act of heroism by a state employee extending above and beyond the normal call of duty or service performed at personal risk to his/her safety to save human life or state property.

(d) Superior Accomplishment. Performance by an individual employee, or team of employees that results in an exceptional contribution to improving California state government.

(e) Merit Award Program. The statewide program, administered by the Department, responsible for establishing policy and guidelines for the administration of the state's Merit Award Program.

(f) Agency. The state departments, boards, and commissions responsible for the review and disposition of suggestions submitted by state employees under the regulations applicable to the state's Merit Award Program.

(g) Director. The agency director, agency head, executive officer of boards/commissions, chancellor of community colleges or their designee.

(h) Merit Award Administrator. Person designated by the agency director, agency head, executive officer of boards/commissions, or chancellor of community colleges to be responsible for the administration of the state's Merit Award Program within his/her respective agency.

(i) Merit Award. An award for an adopted suggestion that results in an intangible benefit and/or identifiable tangible benefit shall be a certificate of award and a payment of cash. An award for an approved special act, special service, or superior accomplishment shall be a scroll, ribbon, medal, pin, gift, or other appropriate token of esteem, and may include a payment of cash.