(a) There is established an Arkansas Natural and Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee whose members shall consist of:

(1) The Director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage;

(2) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission;

(3) The Director of State Highways and Transportation;

(4) The Director of the Department of Health;

(5) The Director of the Department of Parks and Tourism;

(6) The Director of the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission;

(7) A person appointed by the Governor;

(8) A person appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate; and

(9) A person appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(b)

(1) Except as provided in subdivision (b)(2) of this section, persons appointed to the committee by the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall serve terms of three (3) years.

(2) At the first meeting of the committee after the effective date of this act, members appointed to the committee by the Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, or President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall draw lots to stagger terms so that:

(A) One (1) member shall serve a term of one (1) year;

(B) One (1) member shall serve a term of two (2) years; and

(C) One (1) member shall serve a term of three (3) years.

(c) The committee shall elect from its membership a chair and vice-chair.

(d) A vacancy on the committee in the positions appointed by the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be filled by the appointing authority for the unexpired portion of the term in which it occurs.

(e) A majority of the total membership of the committee constitutes a quorum.

(f) Members of the committee appointed by the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives may receive expense reimbursement and stipends under § 25-16-901 et seq. as allowed by law.