143B-135. Commission established.

(a) Creation and Duties. - There is created the African-American Heritage Commission in the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to advise and assist the Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources in the preservation, interpretation, and promotion of African-American history, arts, and culture. The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) To advise the Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources on methods and means of preserving African-American history, arts, and culture.

(2) To promote public awareness of historic buildings, sites, structures, artwork, and culture associated with North Carolina's African-American heritage through special programs, exhibits, and publications.

(3) To support African-American heritage education in elementary and secondary schools in coordination with North Carolina Public Schools.

(4) To build a statewide network of individuals and groups interested in the preservation of African-American history, arts, and culture.

(5) To develop a program to catalog, preserve, assess, and interpret all aspects of African-American history, arts, and culture.

(6) To advise the Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources upon any matter the Secretary may refer to it.

(b) Composition and Terms. - The Commission shall consist of 10 members who shall serve staggered terms. The initial board shall be selected on or before October 1, 2008, as follows:

(1) Four appointed by the Governor, two of whom shall serve terms of three years, one of whom shall serve a term of two years, and one of whom shall serve a term of one year. At least one appointee shall be a member of the North Carolina Historical Commission.

(2) Three appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall serve a term of three years, one of whom shall serve a term of two years, and one of whom shall serve a term of one year.

(3) Three appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall serve a term of three years, one of whom shall serve a term of two years, and one of whom shall serve a term of one year.

Upon the expiration of the terms of the initial Commission members, each member shall be appointed for a three-year term and shall serve until a successor is appointed.

(c) Vacancies. - A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, except that all unexpired terms appointed by the General Assembly shall be filled in accordance with G.S. 120-122. Appointees to fill vacancies shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term and until their successors have been duly appointed and qualified.

(d) Removal. - The Commission may remove any of its members for neglect of duty, incompetence, or unprofessional conduct. A member subject to disciplinary proceedings shall be disqualified from participating in the official business of the Commission until the charges have been resolved.

(e) Officers. - The chair shall be designated by the Governor from among the members of the Commission to serve as chair at the pleasure of the Governor. The Commission shall elect annually from its membership a vice-chair and other officers deemed necessary by the Commission to carry out the purposes of this Article.

(f) Meetings; Quorum. - The Commission shall meet at least semiannually to conduct business. The Board shall establish the procedures for calling, holding, and conducting regular and special meetings. A majority of Commission members shall constitute a quorum.

(g) Compensation. - The Commission members shall receive no salary as a result of serving on the Commission but shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 120-3.1, 138-5, and 138-6, as applicable.