143B-344.60. Outdoor heritage advisory council.

(a) The Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council is established within the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for organizational and budgetary purposes only. The Council shall exercise all of its statutory powers independent of control by the Executive Director of the Wildlife Resources Commission. The Council shall advise State agencies and the General Assembly on the promotion of outdoor recreational activities, including, but not limited to, hiking, horseback riding, boating, sport shooting and archery, bird watching and wildlife watching, camping, swimming, hunting, trapping, and fishing in order to preserve North Carolina's outdoor heritage for future generations.

(b) The Council shall consist of 13 members, appointed as follows:

(1) Four members appointed by the General Assembly, upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

(2) Four members appointed by the General Assembly, upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(3) Three members appointed by the Governor.

(4) One member appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture.

(5) One member appointed by the chair of the Wildlife Resources Commission.

All members of the Council shall have knowledge and experience in outdoor recreational activities and have a demonstrated interest in promoting outdoor heritage.

(c) The terms of the initial members of the Council shall commence October 1, 2015. Of the Governor's initial appointments, one member shall be designated to serve a term of three years, one member shall be designated to serve a term of two years, and one member shall be designated to serve a term of one year. Of the initial appointments by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, one member shall be designated to serve a term of three years, one member shall be designated to serve a term of two years, and one member shall be designated to serve a term of one year. Of the initial appointments by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one member shall be designated to serve a term of three years, one member shall be designated to serve a term of two years, and one member shall be designated to serve a term of one year. The members appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture and the chair of the Wildlife Resources Commission shall each serve an initial term of four years. After the initial appointees' terms have expired, all members shall be appointed for a term of four years. No member shall serve more than two successive terms.

Any appointment to fill a vacancy on the Council created by the resignation, dismissal, death, or disability of a member shall be for the balance of the unexpired term.

(d) The initial chair of the Council shall be designated by the Governor from the Council members. The initial chair shall hold this office for not more than one year. Subsequent chairs shall be elected by the Council for terms of two years.

(e) The Council shall meet quarterly and at other times at the call of the chair. A majority of members of the Council shall constitute a quorum.

(f) Council members shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with G.S. 138-5 and G.S. 138-6, as applicable.

(g) The Executive Director of the Wildlife Resources Commission shall provide clerical and other assistance as needed.