A. The Oklahoma Energy Resources Board shall be composed of at least eighteen (18) members. The eighteen members shall be independent oil or natural gas producers, or representatives of major oil companies which do business in the state, six to be appointed by the Governor, six to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and six to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Governor, President Pro Tempore and Speaker of the House of Representatives shall make appointments of independent producers from a list of names of independent producers which do business in the state submitted by qualified independent producer associations.

B. The members of the Board shall:

1. Be at least twenty-five (25) years of age; and

2. Have at least five (5) years of active experience in the oil or natural gas industry.

C. The initial term of office for independent producer members of the Board shall be as follows: six members for one (1) year, six members for two (2) years and six members for three (3) years.

For the initial appointments of independent producers, each appointing authority shall make two appointments for one-year terms, two appointments for two-year terms and two appointments for three-year terms. Thereafter, the terms of the independent producer members shall be for three (3) years.

D. The six independent producer members of the Board whose initial term of office is for one (1) year shall serve until October 1, 1993, at which time their terms shall expire and will be replaced by the members appointed to three-year terms under subsection E of this section.

E. On October 1, 1993, six members shall be appointed to the Board who represent major oil companies which do business in the state, two to be appointed by the Governor, two to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and two to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. After October 1, 1993, the Board shall be composed of eighteen (18) members, twelve of which shall be independent producers and six shall be representatives of major oil companies.

F. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term of office in the same manner as the original appointment. The appointed members may be removed from office by a majority vote of the three appointing authorities in a manner as provided by law.

G. After October 1, 1993, the independent producer and major oil company members of the Board appointed pursuant to subsection A of this section may by majority vote appoint a maximum of three representatives from each of the following producer-related areas to serve as members of the Board: one member from a royalty owner association and two members representing crude oil purchasing companies. These additional members shall have full voting rights and privileges and will serve three-year terms. They may be removed from the Board by a majority vote of the independent producer and major oil company members of the Board appointed pursuant to subsection A of this section.

H. The Board shall at its first meeting elect one of its members as chairperson, who shall preside over meetings of the Board and perform such other duties as may be required by the Board. The first meeting of the Board shall be called by the Governor.

I. No member of the Board shall receive a salary for duties performed as a member of the Board however, members are eligible to receive reimbursement for expenses and travel reimbursement as provided for in the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

J. Members serving on the Board shall be eligible to serve on any other state board or commission if such member is otherwise qualified to hold such appointed office, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6 of Title 51 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Added by Laws 1992, c. 257, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1992. Amended by Laws 1993, c. 184, § 4, emerg. eff. May 17, 1993; Laws 1995, c. 76, § 1, eff. July 1, 1995; Laws 1996, c. 352, § 4; Laws 1999, c. 317, § 4, emerg. eff. June 4, 1999.