§ 143B-135.240.  North Carolina Land and Water Fund: Board of Trustees established; membership qualifications; vacancies; meetings and meeting facilities.

(a) Board of Trustees Established. - There is established the North Carolina Land and Water Fund Board of Trustees. The North Carolina Land and Water Fund Board of Trustees shall be administratively located within the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

(b) Membership. - The North Carolina Land and Water Fund Board of Trustees shall be composed of nine members appointed to three-year terms as follows:

(1) Two members appointed by the Governor to terms that expire on July 1 of years that precede by one year those years that are evenly divisible by three.

(2) Two members appointed by the Governor to terms that expire on July 1 of years that follow by one year those years that are evenly divisible by three.

(3) One member appointed by the Governor to a term that expires on July 1 of years that are evenly divisible by three.

(4) One member appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to a term that expires on July 1 of years that precede by one year those years that are evenly divisible by three.

(5) Repealed by Session Laws 2019-32, s. 1(a), effective July 1, 2019.

(6) One member appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to a term that expires on July 1 of years that are evenly divisible by three.

(7) Repealed by Session Laws 2019-32, s. 1(a), effective July 1, 2019.

(8) One member appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to a term that expires on July 1 of years that follow by one year those years that are evenly divisible by three.

(9) One member appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to a term that expires on July 1 of years that are evenly divisible by three.

The initial terms of members appointed pursuant to subdivisions (2) and (8) of this subsection shall expire July 1, 2020. The initial terms of members appointed pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (4) of this subsection shall expire July 1, 2021. The initial terms of members appointed pursuant to subdivisions (3), (6), and (9) of this subsection shall expire July 1, 2022.

(c) Qualifications. - The office of Trustee is declared to be an office that may be held concurrently with any other executive or appointive office, under the authority of Article VI, Section 9, of the North Carolina Constitution. When appointing members of the Authority, the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall give consideration to adequate representation from the various regions of the State and shall give consideration to the appointment of members who are knowledgeable in any of the following areas:

(1) Acquisition and management of natural areas.

(2) Conservation and restoration of water quality.

(3) Wildlife and fisheries habitats and resources.

(4) Environmental management.

(5) Historic preservation.

(d) Limitation on Length of Service. - No member of the Board of Trustees shall serve more than two consecutive three-year terms or a total of 10 years.

(e) Chair. - The Governor shall appoint one member to serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees.

(e1) Removal. - Members of the Board of Trustees may be removed pursuant to G.S. 143B-16.

(f) Vacancies. - An appointment to fill a vacancy on the Board of Trustees created by the resignation, removal, disability, or death of a member shall be for the balance of the unexpired term. Vacancies in appointments made by the General Assembly shall be filled as provided in G.S. 120-122.

(g) Frequency of Meetings. - The Board of Trustees shall meet at least twice each year and may hold special meetings at the call of the Chair or a majority of the members.

(h) Quorum. - A majority of the membership of the Board of Trustees constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

(i) Per Diem and Expenses. - Each member of the Board of Trustees shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 120-3.1, 138-5, and 138-6, as applicable. Per diem, subsistence, and travel expenses of the Trustees shall be paid from the Fund. (1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 27.6(a); 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2001-474, s. 10; 2003-340, s. 1.3; 2003-422, s. 1; 2006-178, s. 2; 2013-360, s. 14.3(e); 2014-100, s. 14.8(d); 2015-241, s. 14.30(k1), (r1), (w); 2019-32, s. 1(a); 2023-70, s. 9(e).)