§ 15-31-102 - Members.

15-31-102. Members.

(a) (1) The Arkansas Forestry Commission shall consist of nine (9) members to be appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Senate from resident electors of this state having a long-standing interest in the forest resources of Arkansas.

(2) (A) Three (3) of the nine (9) members appointed to the commission shall be small tree farmers.

(B) As used in this section, "small tree farmer" means a person owning timber acreage of two hundred fifty (250) acres or less.

(3) Each congressional district shall be represented on the commission.

(b) The term of office shall commence on January 15 following the expiration date of the prior term and shall end on January 14 of the ninth year following the year in which the term commenced.

(c) (1) Any vacancies arising in the membership of the commission for any reason other than expiration of the regular terms for which the members were appointed shall be filled by appointment by the Governor.

(2) Appointments shall be thereafter effective until the expiration of the regular terms, subject, however, to the confirmation of the Senate when it is next in session.

(d) Before entering upon their respective duties, each member of the commission shall take and subscribe and file in the Office of the Secretary of State an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Arkansas and to faithfully perform the duties of the office upon which he or she is about to enter.

(e) Members of the commission shall not receive compensation for their services but may receive expense reimbursement in accordance with 25-16-901 et seq.