49.010 Kentucky Claims Commission -- Members -- Terms -- Salary -- Meetings -- Training -- Executive director -- Hearing officers -- Interagency agreements

(1) The Kentucky Claims Commission is created and established within the Public Protection Cabinet. As used in this chapter, "commission" means the Kentucky Claims Commission

(2) The commission shall consist of three (3) members appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate. At least one (1) member shall be an attorney licensed to practice in the Commonwealth, at least one (1) member shall have a taxation background, and at least one (1) member shall be: (a) A victim as defined in KRS 421.500(1); (b) The parent, spouse, sibling, or child of a victim as defined in KRS 421.500(1), whether or not the victim is deceased; or (c) A victim advocate as defined in KRS 421.570(1)

(3) Except for the appointment all appointments shall be for a three (3) year term. Vacancies for unexpired terms shall be filled in the same manner as regular appointments, but an appointee for a vacancy shall hold office only to the end of the unexpired term of that vacated member

the commission's first members, of (4) The Governor shall designate one (1) member of the commission to serve as chairperson, and the commission shall annually elect one (1) of its members to serve as vice chairperson with the authority to act in the absence of the chairperson. (5) The Governor shall set a salary for members of the commission. In addition, members shall be reimbursed for all expenses paid or incurred in the discharge of official business at existing state rates

(6) The commission shall meet as often as necessary to perform its statutory responsibilities as outlined in this chapter. A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business

(7) The chairperson shall conduct an annual training session for all members of the commission on new legislation, relevant court decisions, and commission policies and procedures

(8) The commission shall be headed by an executive director appointed by the commission. The executive director shall: (a) Carry out the policy and program directives of the commission; (b) Be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the commission; (c) Establish appropriate organizational structures and personnel policies; (d) Serve as the appointing authority for all personnel; (e) Prepare annual reports on the commission's activities; (f) (g) Perform all other duties as directed by the commission or assigned by Prepare budgets; and law

(9) The Governor shall appoint the necessary number of hearing officers to serve at the direction of the commission. A commission member or employee may serve as a hearing officer for the commission. Any commission member or employee who serves as a hearing officer shall not receive additional compensation but shall be reimbursed at state rates for expenses paid or incurred as a result of serving as a hearing officer. A commission member or employee who is an attorney licensed to practice in the Commonwealth shall be exempt from KRS 13B.030(4)

(10) With the approval of the commission, the executive director and commission employees may enter into agreements with any state agency, political subdivision of the state, postsecondary education institution, or other person or entity to enlist assistance to implement the duties and responsibilities of the commission

Effective:June 29, 2017 History: Created 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 74, sec. 1, effective June 29, 2017