(a) The Alabama Athlete Agents Commission is continued in existence. The commission shall consist of the Secretary of State and 18 members to be appointed as follows:

(1) One member appointed by the Governor.

(2) One member appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.

(3) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(4) The athletic director or an individual appointed by the athletic director at each of the following institutions of higher education:

a. Auburn University.

b. University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.

c. University of South Alabama.

d. Alabama State University.

e. Alabama A & M University.

f. Tuskegee University.

g. Troy University.

h. Jacksonville State University.

i. University of North Alabama.

j. University of West Alabama.

k. Miles College.

l. University of Montevallo.

m. University of Alabama, Huntsville.

n. University of Alabama, Birmingham.

(5) One member appointed by the Alabama High School Athletic Association.

(b) In appointing members to the board, the appointing power shall select those persons whose appointments, to the extent possible, ensure that the membership of the board is inclusive and reflects the racial, gender, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state. All appointed members of the commission shall be citizens of the United States and residents of Alabama. The term of each appointed commission member shall be three years and members are eligible for reappointment. If a vacancy occurs, the appointing power for the vacant position shall appoint a successor who shall take office immediately and serve the remainder of the unexpired term. Members of the Alabama Athlete Agents Commission serving on October 1, 2016, shall continue to serve on the Alabama Athlete Agents Commission until their term expires.

(c) Within 15 days after their appointment, the members of the commission shall take an oath before any person lawfully authorized to administer oaths in this state to faithfully and impartially perform their duties as members of the commission, and the same shall be filed with the Secretary of State.

(d) The Governor may remove from the commission any appointed member for neglect of duty or other just cause.

(e) The commission shall elect annually a chair, a vice chair, and a secretary-treasurer from its members.

(f) A majority of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

(g) The Secretary of State shall keep records of the proceedings of the commission; and, in any proceeding in court, civil or criminal, arising out of or founded upon any provision of this chapter, copies of those records certified as correct by the Secretary of State shall be admissible in evidence as tending to prove the content of the records.

(h) The Secretary of State shall have printed and published for distribution an annual register which shall contain the names, arranged alphabetically, of all persons registered under this chapter. The Secretary of State shall also provide a quarterly report to the commission of all agents registered during the quarter, any suspension or revocation of registered agents during the quarter, and other disciplinary action taken against an agent.

(i) The Secretary of State may employ personnel and arrange for assistance, service, and supplies as the Secretary of State may require for the performance of the duties of the commission.

(j) The commission may promulgate and, from time to time, amend rules and standards of conduct for athlete agents appropriate for the protection of the residents of the state. At least 35 days prior to the completion of notice of any rule or amendment, the Secretary of State shall mail copies of the proposed rule or amendment to all persons registered under this chapter, with a notice advising them of the completion of notice of the rule or amendment and requesting that they submit advisory comments thereon at least 15 days prior to the completion of notice. Failure to receive by mail a rule, amendment, or notice by all persons registered under this chapter shall not affect the validity of the rule or amendment.

(k) Except for the Secretary of State, each member of the commission, who is not otherwise reimbursed by public funds for services provided to this commission, shall be paid fifty dollars ($50) for each day the member is actively engaged in the discharge of official duties as a member of the commission, and shall also be entitled to, and shall receive, reimbursement for actual necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of official duties on behalf of the commission.

(l) The Alabama Athlete Agents Commission shall be subject to the Alabama Sunset Law, Chapter 20, Title 41, as an enumerated agency as provided in Section 41-20-3, and shall have a termination date of October 1, 2019, and every four years thereafter, unless continued pursuant to the Alabama Sunset Law.