5:5-23 Membership of New Jersey Racing Commission.

2. The commission shall consist of nine members, all of whom shall be appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and not more than five of whom shall be of the same political party, and one of whom shall be designated by the Governor to be the chairman of the commission. Each commissioner, at the time of appointment and qualification, shall: (1) be a resident of the State of New Jersey; (2) have resided in the State for a period of at least seven years next preceding appointment and qualification; and (3) be a qualified voter therein and not less than 30 years of age.

At least three commissioners shall be residents of South Jersey, which, for the purposes of this section, shall consist of the counties of Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Ocean, and Salem.

At least one commissioner shall be a resident of Monmouth county.

Two commissioners shall be persons with knowledge of thoroughbred horses, and shall be recommended for nomination by the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, not more than one of whom shall be from the same political party. Two commissioners shall be persons with knowledge of standardbred horses and shall be recommended for nomination by the Standardbred Breeders' and Owners' Association of New Jersey, not more than one of whom shall be from the same political party. No commissioner shall breed a horse in New Jersey or hold a license to train or race a horse in New Jersey.

Each commissioner shall hold office for a term of six years and until a successor has been appointed and qualified. The term of office of each commissioner shall commence on confirmation after appointment. Upon the expiration of the term of each commissioner, the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint a successor, to hold office for a term of six years and until his or her successor has been appointed and qualified. The successor of a commissioner appointed upon the recommendation of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association or the Standardbred Breeders' and Owners' Association of New Jersey shall be recommended for nomination by that Association. Any vacancy in the commission shall be filled for the unexpired term. Each commissioner shall be eligible for reappointment in the discretion of the Governor.

L.1940,c.17,s.2; amended 1984, c.247, s.1; 1987, c.413; 2003, c.32, s.1.