There is hereby created a nine-member consumers' counsel governing board consisting of three representatives of organized groups representing each of the following areas: labor; residential consumers; and family farmers. No more than five members of this board may be members of the same political party. The members of the board shall be appointed by the attorney general with the advice and consent of the senate. No later than January 1, 1977, the attorney general shall make initial appointments to the board. Of the initial appointments made to the board, three shall be for a term ending one year after September 1, 1976, three shall be for a term ending two years after that date, and three shall be for a term ending three years after that date. Thereafter, terms of office shall be for three years, each term ending on the same day of the same month of the year as did the term that it succeeds. Each member shall hold office from the date of the member's appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of that term. Any member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member's term until the member's successor takes office. The governing board shall meet at least every third month of the year. Meetings may be held more often at the request of a majority of the members or upon call of the chairperson. At the first meeting of each year, the board shall select a chairperson and vice-chairperson. With the approval of the board, the chairperson may designate the vice-chairperson to perform the duties of the chairperson, including those provided in section 4901.021 of the Revised Code. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum. No action shall be taken without the concurrence of a majority of the full membership of the board. The consumers' counsel shall at all times remain responsible to the governing board. Members of the board shall be compensated at the rate of one hundred fifty dollars per board meeting attended in person, not to exceed one thousand two hundred dollars per year. All members shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties. The board shall submit to the general assembly no later than the first day of April, annually, a report outlining the expenditures of the office of consumers' counsel, a full record of participation in any and all proceedings, and an outline of other relevant activities of the office.

Effective Date: 09-05-2001 .