(1) The Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission, an agency of the state, is created and established as a body politic and corporate, covering the six-county area comprised of Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns Counties.

(2) The nine-member governing board of the commission shall be selected and serve as follows:

(a) The county commissions of Baker, Clay, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns Counties shall each appoint one person, who may be an elected official of such county. However, in order to ensure continuity on the initial governing board, the initial appointees under this paragraph shall draw lots at the first meeting of the governing board to determine which two members shall serve initial terms of 2 years, which member shall serve an initial term of 3 years, and which two members shall serve initial terms of 4 years.

(b) The City of Jacksonville shall be represented by four members, who may be elected officials of the city. Of the four members, the mayor of the City of Jacksonville shall appoint two members, and the Jacksonville City Council shall appoint two members. However, in order to ensure continuity on the initial governing board, the initial appointees shall draw lots at the first meeting of the governing board to determine which member shall serve an initial term of 2 years, which two members shall serve initial terms of 3 years, and which member shall serve an initial term of 4 years.

(c) An appointed member may not select or have a designee selected to serve in the absence of the member, whether such member is an elected official or otherwise. However, if an appointed member is designated by the appointing entity by title, such as the chair of a county commission or the chair of a transportation or planning agency, the successor or vice chair may serve for such appointee in his or her absence.

(d) Except for the initial board, members shall be appointed for 4-year terms. A member may not serve more than two consecutive terms.

(3) The secretary of the department shall appoint a nonvoting advisor to the board.

(4) The board may create an advisory panel, with membership to be determined by the board, and may establish committees by and at the will of the chair, or upon vote of the board.

(5) The members of the board shall serve without compensation but are entitled to receive reimbursement from the commission for travel expenses and per diem incurred in connection with the business of the commission as provided in s. 112.061. Persons appointed to a committee or an advisory panel shall also serve without compensation but may be entitled to per diem or travel expenses incurred in connection with the business of the commission as provided in s. 112.061.

(6) Notwithstanding s. 112.3144(1)(b), members of the board shall file a statement of financial interests with the Commission on Ethics pursuant to s. 112.3145.

(7) At its inaugural meeting, the board shall establish the duties and powers of its officers as set forth in subsection (8) and its initial rules of conduct and meeting procedures.

(8) At its inaugural meeting, and annually thereafter, the board shall elect a chair, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer from among its members, to serve for a term of 1 year. No person may hold the office of chair for more than two consecutive terms.

(9) The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 60 days after the creation of the commission.

(10) Six members of the board constitute a quorum. The commission may meet upon the presence of a quorum. A vacancy on the board does not impair the ability of a quorum to exercise all rights and perform all duties of the commission.

(11) The commission may employ an executive director and an administrative assistant to the board and to the executive director. The commission may employ permanent or temporary staff, including consultants, as it determines necessary or convenient, or, subject to approval by their respective boards or administrative chiefs, may use the staff of:

(a) The Jacksonville Transportation Authority, its legal counsel, technical experts, engineers, and other administrative employees.

(b) The North Florida Transportation Planning Organization, for planning matters.

(c) The Northeast Florida Regional Council, for planning and coordination matters.

(d) The department.

(e) The Jacksonville Port Authority.

(f) The counties represented on the commission board, on an as-needed basis.

(12) An appointing county commission, or, in the case of Duval County, upon request of the mayor or the city council president, the Jacksonville City Council, may remove a member appointed by it for cause, including, but not limited to, failure to attend two or more meetings of the commission during any 9-month period.

(13) There shall be no liability on the part of, and no cause of action may arise against, any member for any action taken in the performance of his or her duties under this part.

History.—s. 4, ch. 2013-173; s. 35, ch. 2016-10; s. 12, ch. 2019-169.

1Note.—Repealed by s. 13, ch. 2013-173.