There is hereby created in the department of natural resources a recreation and resources commission composed of the chairperson of the wildlife council created under section 1531.03 of the Revised Code, the chairperson of the parks and recreation council created under section 1541.40 of the Revised Code, the chairperson of the waterways safety council created under section 1547.73 of the Revised Code, the chairperson of the technical advisory council on oil and gas created under section 1509.38 of the Revised Code, the chairperson of the forestry advisory council created under section 1503.40 of the Revised Code, the chairperson of the Ohio natural areas council created under section 1517.03 of the Revised Code, the chairperson of the Ohio water advisory council created under section 1521.031 of the Revised Code, the chairperson of the Ohio geology advisory council created under section 1505.11 of the Revised Code, and five members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, not more than three of whom shall belong to the same political party. The director of natural resources shall be an ex officio member of the commission, with a voice in its deliberations, but without the power to vote.
Terms of office of members of the commission appointed by the governor shall be for five years, commencing on the second day of February and ending on the first day of February. Each member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed.
In the event of the death, removal, resignation, or incapacity of a member of the commission, the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint a successor who shall hold office for the remainder of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed. Any member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member's term until the member's successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first.
The governor may remove any appointed member of the commission for misfeasance, nonfeasance, or malfeasance in office.
The commission shall exercise no administrative function, but may do any of the following:
(A) Advise with and recommend to the director as to plans and programs for the management, development, utilization, and conservation of the natural resources of the state;
(B) Advise with and recommend to the director as to methods of coordinating the work of the divisions of the department;
(C) Consider and make recommendations upon any matter that the director may submit to it;
(D) Submit to the governor biennially recommendations for amendments to the conservation laws of the state.
Each member of the commission, before entering upon the discharge of the member's duties, shall take and subscribe to an oath of office, which oath, in writing, shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state.
The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to receive their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.
The commission, by a majority vote of all its members, shall adopt and amend bylaws.
To be eligible for appointment, a person shall be a citizen of the United States and an elector of the state and shall possess a knowledge of and have an interest in the natural resources of this state.
The commission shall hold at least four regular quarterly meetings each year. Special meetings shall be held at such times as the bylaws of the commission provide. Notices of all meetings shall be given in such manner as the bylaws provide. The commission shall choose annually from among its members a chairperson to preside over its meetings and a secretary to keep a record of its proceedings. A majority of the members of the commission constitutes a quorum. No advice shall be given or recommendation made without a majority of the members of the commission concurring in it.
Amended by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 64, §101.01, eff. 1/1/2016.
Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.127, HB 487, §101.01, eff. 9/10/2012.
Amended by 128th General AssemblyFile No.47, SB 181, §1, eff. 9/13/2010.
Effective Date: 09-26-2003; 12-30-2004; 06-27-2005
Related Legislative Provision: See 129th General AssemblyFile No.39, SB 171, §4
Note: This section is set out twice. See also § 1501.04 , effective until 1/1/2016.
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