(a)

(1) The Ouachita River Commission shall be composed of nine (9) members.

(2) The members shall be appointed by the Governor as follows:

(A) One (1) who is a resident and elector of Clark County;

(B) One (1) who is a resident and elector of Ouachita County;

(C) One (1) who is a resident and elector of Calhoun County;

(D) One (1) who is a resident and elector of Union County;

(E) One (1) who is a resident and elector of Bradley County;

(F) One (1) who is a resident and elector of Ashley County;

(G) One (1) who is a resident and elector of Hot Spring County;

(H) One (1) who is a resident and elector of Dallas County; and

(I) One (1) who is the highest-ranking official of the Ouachita River Valley Association and who is a resident of Arkansas.

(3) The Governor's appointment shall be with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(b) Prior to entering upon the Ouachita River Commission's duties, each member of the Ouachita River Commission shall take, 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.

(c)

(1) Members shall be appointed for seven-year staggered terms to be assigned by lot.

(2) The terms shall commence on September 1 of each year and the first term shall expire on September 1, 2001.

(3) Every year thereafter, one (1) member's term shall expire.

(d) The Ouachita River Commission shall annually select by majority vote one (1) of its members to serve as chair and one (1) to serve as vice chair.

(e) In the event of a vacancy on the Ouachita River Commission for any reason other than expiration of a regular term, the vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by appointment of the Ouachita River Commission member in subdivision (a)(2) of this section of a person meeting the same qualifications required for initial appointment.

(f) Members of the Ouachita River Commission shall receive no pay for their services, but whenever the General Assembly shall have appropriated funds to the Ouachita River Waterways Project Trust Fund administered by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, they may, upon proper application to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, be reimbursed for expenses in accordance with § 25-16-902.