136-260. Creation of Authority - membership; appointment, terms and vacancies; officers; meetings and quorum; compensation.

(a) The North Carolina State Ports Authority is hereby created within the Department of Transportation and shall be subject to and under the direct supervision of the Secretary of Transportation. It shall be governed by a board composed of nine members and hereby designated as the Authority. Effective July 1, 1983, it shall be governed by a board composed of 11 members and hereby designated as the Authority. The General Assembly suggests and recommends that no person be appointed to the Authority who is domiciled in the district of the North Carolina House of Representatives or the North Carolina Senate in which a State port is located. Members of the North Carolina Board of Transportation may be appointed to the Authority. The Governor shall appoint seven members to the Authority, and the General Assembly shall appoint two members of the Authority. Effective July 1, 1983, the Authority shall consist of seven persons appointed by the Governor, and four persons appointed by the General Assembly. Effective July 1, 2011, the Governor shall appoint six members to the Authority, in addition to the Secretary of Transportation, who shall serve as a voting member of the Authority by virtue of his office. The Secretary of Transportation shall fill the first vacancy occurring after July 1, 2011, in a position on the Authority over which the Governor has appointive power.

(b) The initial appointments by the Governor shall be made on or after March 8, 1977, two terms to expire July 1, 1979; two terms to expire July 1, 1981; and three terms to expire July 1, 1983. Thereafter, at the expiration of each stipulated term of office all appointments made by the Governor shall be for a term of six years.

(c) To stagger further the terms of members:

(1) Of the members appointed by the Governor to replace the members whose terms expire on July 1, 1991, one member shall be appointed to a term of five years, to expire on June 30, 1996; the other member shall be appointed for a term of six years, to expire on June 30, 1997;

(2) Of the members appointed by the Governor to replace the members whose terms expire on July 1, 1993, one member shall be appointed to a term of five years, to expire on June 30, 1998; the other member shall be appointed to a term of six years, to expire on June 30, 1999;

(3) Of those members appointed by the Governor to replace the members whose terms expire on July 1, 1995, one member shall be appointed to a term of five years, to expire on June 30, 2000; the other member shall be appointed to a term of six years, to expire on June 30, 2001.

(d) The members of the Authority appointed by the Governor shall be selected from the State-at-large and insofar as practicable shall represent each section of the State in all of the business, agriculture, and industrial interests of the State. At least one member appointed by the Governor shall be affiliated with a major exporter or importer currently using the State Ports. Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Authority appointed by the Governor shall be filled by the Governor for the unexpired term. The Governor may remove a member appointed by the Governor only for reasons provided by G.S. 143B-13.

(e) The General Assembly shall appoint two persons to serve terms expiring June 30, 1983. The General Assembly shall appoint four persons to serve terms beginning July 1, 1983, to serve until June 30, 1985, and successors shall serve for two-year terms. Of the two appointments to be made in 1982, one shall be made upon the recommendation of the Speaker, and one shall be made upon the recommendation of the President of the Senate. Of the four appointments made in 1983 and biennially thereafter, two shall be made upon the recommendation of the President of the Senate, and two shall be made upon the recommendation of the Speaker. To stagger further the terms of members:

(1) Of the members appointed upon the recommendation of the Speaker to replace the members whose terms expire on June 30, 1991, one member shall be appointed to a term of one year, to expire on June 30, 1992; the other member shall be appointed to a term of two years, to expire on June 30, 1993;

(2) Of the members appointed upon the recommendation of the President of the Senate to replace the members whose terms expire on June 30, 1991, one member shall be appointed to a term of one year, to expire on June 30, 1992; the other member shall be appointed to a term of two years, to expire on June 30, 1993. Successors to these persons for terms beginning on or after January 1, 1997, shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

(f) Appointments by the General Assembly shall be made in accordance with G.S. 120-121, and vacancies in those appointments shall be filled in accordance with G.S. 120-122. Members appointed by the General Assembly may be removed only for reasons provided by G.S. 143B-13.

(g) The Governor shall appoint from the members of the Authority the chairman and vice-chairman of the Authority. The members of the Authority shall appoint a treasurer and secretary of the Authority.

(h) The Authority shall meet once in each 60 days at such regular meeting time as the Authority by rule may provide and at any place within the State as the Authority may provide, and shall also meet upon the call of its chairman or a majority of its members. A majority of its members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The members of the Authority shall not be entitled to compensation for their services, but they shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expense in accordance with G.S. 138-5. No member of the Authority may participate in any discussion or vote on any matter before the Authority on which the member has a conflict of interest.