(a)

(1) An authority shall be governed by a board consisting of the following representation:

(A) The county mayor, county executive or metropolitan mayor or executive of each county included within the authority;

(B) The mayor of each incorporated town or city included in the authority;

(C) The commissioner of transportation or the commissioner's designee; and

(D) One (1) person residing in each county of the authority to be appointed by the governor. In making such appointments, the governor shall appoint persons who are knowledgeable concerning mass transit and who reflect the composition and interest of the population of the county from which they are appointed.

(2) The ex officio members of the board shall serve during their terms of office, and the appointed members of the board shall be appointed to five-year terms and may be reappointed.

(b) The board shall elect a chair from its membership and such other officers as it may deem necessary.

(c) The board shall meet at least annually, and special meetings may be called at any time by the chair or upon request of a majority of the membership, following the service of reasonable notice on all board members.

(d) The commissioner of transportation or any ex officio member may have a designated alternate who shall be entitled to vote and fully participate in the actions of the board in the stead of the ex officio member. The authority in the bylaws shall establish the process, scope, tenure and procedure of designation of an alternate.

(e) Actions of the board shall require a majority vote of a quorum of the board, such quorum being set by the authority's bylaws.

(f) The board may establish through bylaws an executive committee and procedures and rules for its operation as it may deem necessary. The executive committee may be empowered to perform as the administrative body of the board. The executive committee may be empowered by the board to act in its stead.

(g) Members of the board shall serve without compensation, but appointed members may receive reimbursement for necessary travel expenses from funds available to the authority.

(h) The board may adopt ethical standards for all board members, officials and employees of the authority. If an ethical standard established by the board is more stringent than an ethical standard established by or pursuant to a law of general application, public law of local application, local option law or private act applicable to an individual board member, official or employee of the authority, then the more stringent standard adopted by the board shall control. Any violation of ethical standards pursuant to this subsection (h) may be enforced by the board in accordance with existing law in the same manner as is applicable to officials or employees of entities pursuant to title 8, chapter 17.