Sec. 7. (a) The county executive shall create a commission to promote the development and growth of the convention, visitor, and tourism industry in the county. If two (2) or more adjoining counties desire to establish a joint commission, the counties shall enter into an agreement under IC 36-1-7.

(b) The county executive shall determine the number of members, which must be an odd number, to be appointed to the commission. A simple majority of the members must be:

(1) engaged in a convention, visitor, or tourism business; or

(2) involved in or promoting conventions, visitors, or tourism.

If available and willing to serve, at least two (2) of the members must be engaged in the business of renting or furnishing rooms, lodging, or accommodations (as described in section 3 of this chapter). Not more than one (1) member may be affiliated with the same business entity. Not more than a simple majority of the members may be affiliated with the same political party. Each member must reside in the county. The county executive shall also determine who will make the appointments to the commission, except that the executive of the largest municipality in the county shall appoint a number of the members of the commission, which number shall be in the same ratio to the total size of the commission (rounded off to the nearest whole number) that the population of the largest municipality bears to the total population of the county.

(c) If a municipality other than the largest municipality in the county collects fifty percent (50%) or more of the tax revenue collected under this chapter during the three (3) month period following imposition of the tax, the executive of the municipality shall appoint the same number of members to the commission that the executive of the largest municipality in the county appoints under subsection (b).

(d) Except as provided in subsection (c), all terms of office of commission members begin on January 1. Initial appointments must be for staggered terms, with subsequent appointments for two (2) year terms. A member whose term expires may be reappointed to serve another term. If a vacancy occurs, the appointing authority shall appoint a qualified person to serve for the remainder of the term. If an initial appointment is not made by February 1 or a vacancy is not filled within thirty (30) days, the commission shall appoint a member by majority vote.

(e) A member of the commission may be removed for cause by the member's appointing authority.

(f) Members of the commission may not receive a salary. However, commission members are entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their respective duties.

(g) Each commission member, before entering the commission member's duties, shall take an oath of office in the usual form, to be endorsed upon the commission member's certificate of appointment and promptly filed with the clerk of the circuit court of the county.

(h) The commission shall meet after January 1 each year for the purpose of organization. It shall elect one (1) of its members president, another vice president, another secretary, and another treasurer. The members elected to those offices shall perform the duties pertaining to the offices. The first officers chosen shall serve from the date of their election until their successors are elected and qualified. A majority of the commission constitutes a quorum, and the concurrence of a majority of the commission is necessary to authorize any action.

As added by P.L.290-2019, SEC.16.