§ 15-12-101 - Creation -- Members -- Meetings. - Arkansas Statutes

15-12-101. Creation -- Members -- Meetings.

(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' natural or cultural resources;

(7) One (1) member to represent Arkansas cities and towns, to be named by the Governor from a list of three (3) names recommended to the Governor by the Arkansas Municipal League. This member shall serve a term of two (2) years or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified;

(8) One (1) member to represent Arkansas counties, who shall be appointed by the Governor from a list of three (3) names submitted to the Governor by the Arkansas County Judges Association. This member shall serve a term of two (2) years or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified;

(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, insofar as possible, shall be made from names recommended to the Governor by groups representative of those organizations.

(c) (1) One (1) member appointed under subdivision (a)(6) of this section shall represent rural areas and will be chosen from a list of names submitted to the Governor by the Arkansas Forestry Association.

(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 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.