(a) There is established the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council, which shall consist of eleven (11) voting members as follows:
(1) The Director of the Department of Parks and Tourism;
(2) The Director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage;
(3) The Chair of the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission or his or her designee;
(4) The Chair of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission or his or her designee;
(5) The Commissioner of State Lands;
(6) Two (2) resident electors of this state as public members who are representatives of recreation groups, conservation groups, or other groups interested in the wise use, preservation, and conservation of Arkansas's natural or cultural resources;
(7) (A) One (1) member appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation by the Senate to represent Arkansas cities and towns.
(B) This member shall serve a term of two (2) years or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.
(C) The Governor shall consult the Arkansas Municipal League before making an appointment under this subdivision (a)(7);
(8) (A) One (1) member appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation by the Senate to represent Arkansas counties.
(B) This member shall serve a term of two (2) years or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.
(C) The Governor shall consult the County Judges' Association of Arkansas before making an appointment under this subdivision (a)(8);
(9) One (1) member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
(10) One (1) member appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(b) The appointments under subdivisions (a)(6)-(8) of this section shall be made by the Governor and the Governor shall consult the organizations described in subdivisions (a)(6)-(8) before making the appointments.
(c) (1) One (1) member appointed under subdivision (a)(6) of this section shall represent rural areas and the Governor shall consult the Arkansas Forestry Association before making the appointment.
(2) The other member appointed under subdivision (a)(6) of this section shall represent urban areas.
(d) Members appointed under subdivisions (a)(7) and (8) of this section shall serve for four-year terms.
(e) Members of the council shall serve without pay. However:
(1) (A) The Director of the Department of Parks and Tourism, the Director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, the Chair of the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission or his or her designee, and the Chair of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission or his or her designee may receive expense reimbursement for attending meetings of the council as provided by ยง 25-16-902.
(B) These allowances shall be paid from funds appropriated for the support of their respective agencies; and
(2) (A) The appointees to the council under subdivisions (a)(6)-(10) of this section, including the city and county representatives on the council, shall be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred for meals, lodging, and travel in attending council meetings.
(B) Expenses shall be paid from funds appropriated for the support of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.
(f) All action by the council shall be taken by the vote of a majority of the members of the council.
(g) (1) The council shall organize by choosing one (1) of its voting members to serve as Chair of the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council and shall elect such other officers as deemed necessary for the functioning of the council.
(2) The Director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage shall serve as Secretary of the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council and shall serve as disbursing officer of any funds appropriated for or administered by the council.
(h) The council shall meet on call of the chair or upon written request of not fewer than four (4) voting members or at such times as provided in rules adopted by the council.
Section: 15-12-102 15-12-103 NextLast modified: November 15, 2016