(a) The State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission shall consist of fifteen (15) regular members, of whom at least:

(1) Four (4) are active in media, including without limitation newspaper, television, radio, Internet, or the video service provider industry;

(2) Seven (7) have primary occupations in tourism, including without limitation:

(A) Persons having occupations in the recreational or travel field of endeavor; and

(B) Owners or operators of food service, lodging, or travel-oriented businesses such as boat docks, marinas, theme parks, camp grounds, tourist resorts, caves, caverns, highway gift shops, and firms commonly known as tourist attractions;

(3) One (1) is a historian with knowledge of Arkansas's historic background;

(4) One (1) is a representative of either employment or avocation in recreation and conservation;

(5) One (1) is a representative of either employment or avocation in arts and culture; and

(6) One (1) is sixty (60) years of age or older, serving as a representative of the elderly who shall not be actively engaged in or retired from the professions set out in subdivisions (a)(1)-(5) of this section.

(b) In addition to the membership under subsection (a) of this section, the membership of the commission may include one (1) or more commissioners emeriti if designated under § 15-11-203.

(c) Each member of the commission shall be:

(1) A resident elector of this state; and

(2) Appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(d) Each of the four (4) congressional districts of the state shall be represented on the membership of the commission.

(e)

(1) All members appointed to the commission shall be appointed for terms of six (6) years.

(2) The term of office shall commence on January 15 following the expiration date and shall end on January 14 of the sixth year following the year in which the regular term commenced.

(f) Any vacancies arising in the membership of the commission for any reason other than expiration of the regular terms for which members were appointed shall be filled by appointment by the Governor and be thereafter effective until the expiration of their regular terms, subject, however, to the confirmation of the Senate when it is next in session.

(g) Before entering upon his or her respective duties, each member of the commission shall take and subscribe and file in the office of the Secretary of State an oath to support the United States Constitution and the Arkansas Constitution and to faithfully perform the duties of the office upon which he or she is about to enter.

(h) Members of the commission shall not receive compensation for their services but may receive expense reimbursement and stipends in accordance with § 25-16-901 et seq.