Arkansas § 15-12-101 - Creation — Members — Meetings.

§ 15-12-101. Creation — Members — Meetings.

There is established the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council, which shall consist of eleven (11) voting members as follows: The Secretary of the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism or his or her designee; The Director of the Division of Arkansas Heritage or his or her designee; The Chair of the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission or his or her designee; The Chair of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission or his or her designee; The Commissioner of State Lands; Two (2) resident electors of this state appointed by the Governor as public members who are representatives of recreation groups, conservation groups, or other groups interested in the wise use, preservation, and conservation of Arkansas's natural or cultural resources. One (1) member appointed under this subdivision (a)(6) shall represent rural areas, and the Governor shall consult the Arkansas Forestry Association before making the appointment. One (1) member appointed under this subdivision (a)(6) shall represent urban areas, and the Governor shall consult the organizations described in subdivision (a)(6)(A) of this section before making the appointment; One (1) member appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation by the Senate to represent Arkansas cities and towns. The member appointed under subdivision (a)(7)(A) of this section shall serve a term of two (2) years or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. The Governor shall consult the Arkansas Municipal League before making an appointment under this subdivision (a)(7); One (1) member appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation by the Senate to represent Arkansas counties. The member appointed under subdivision (a)(8)(A) of this section shall serve a term of two (2) years or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. The Governor shall consult the County Judges Association of Arkansas before making an appointment under this subdivision (a)(8); One (1) member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and One (1) member appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Members of the council shall serve without pay. However: The Secretary of the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, or his or her designee, the Director of the Division of Arkansas Heritage, or his or her designee, the Chair of the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission or his or her designee, and the Chair of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission or his or her designee may receive expense reimbursement for attending meetings of the council as provided by § 25-16-902. Expense reimbursement under subdivision (b)(1)(A) of this section shall be paid from funds appropriated for the support of the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, the Division of Arkansas Heritage, the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission, and the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, respectively; and The appointees to the council under subdivisions (a)(6)-(10) of this section, including the city and county representatives on the council, may receive expense reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred for meals, lodging, and travel in attending council meetings. Expense reimbursement under subdivision (b)(2)(A) of this section shall be paid from funds appropriated for the support of the department. All action by the council shall be taken by the vote of a majority of the members of the council. The council shall organize by choosing one (1) of its voting members to serve as Chair of the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council and shall elect such other officers as deemed necessary for the functioning of the council. The Secretary of the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism shall serve as Secretary of the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council and shall serve as disbursing officer of any funds appropriated for or administered by the council. The council shall meet on call of the chair or upon written request of not fewer than four (4) voting members or at such times as provided in rules adopted by the council.