Sec. 2. (a) There is created a seven (7) member convention and visitor commission (referred to as the "commission" in this chapter), whose purpose it is to promote the development and growth of the convention and visitor industry in said county.

(b) The county council, by majority vote, shall appoint two (2) members of the commission, at least one (1) of whom must be engaged in the hotel or motel business in the county. The county commissioners, by majority vote, shall appoint two (2) members of the commission, at least one (1) of whom must be engaged in the hotel or motel business in the county. The mayor of a municipality in the county that has the largest population, as determined in the federal decennial census, shall appoint three (3) members of the commission. At least one (1) of the members appointed by the mayor must be engaged in the hotel or motel business in the county. Beginning with the next appointment available to the mayor after a riverboat (as defined in IC 4-33-2-17) initially begins operation from the county, at least one (1) of the members appointed by the mayor must represent the interests of riverboats in the county.

(c) All terms of office begin on January 1 and end on December 31. Members of the commission appointed by the county council serve two (2) year terms. Members appointed by the county commissioners serve one (1) year terms. Members appointed by the mayor of the largest municipality in the county serve two (2) year terms. A member whose term expires may be reappointed to serve another term. If a vacancy occurs, a qualified person shall be appointed by the original appointing authority to serve for the remainder of the term.

(d) A member of the commission may be removed for cause by his appointing authority.

(e) Members of the commission may not receive a salary. However, commission members shall receive reimbursement for necessary expenses, but only when such necessary expenses are incurred in the performance of their respective duties.

As added by Acts 1976, P.L.22, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.97-1983, SEC.7; P.L.49-1994, SEC.4.