(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, the state agency whose director has been designated to administer the Lake Erie protection fund under section 1506.23 of the Revised Code is hereby designated the lead agency for the implementation in this state of the purposes of the great lakes protection fund, a regional trust fund established by the great lakes states to advance the principles, goals, and objectives of the great lakes toxic substances control agreement and the great lakes water quality agreement, as they may be revised and amended.

(B) The governor shall appoint two members from this state to the board of directors of the great lakes protection fund as provided in the bylaws and articles of incorporation of the fund. Of the initial appointments made to the board, one shall serve for a term of one year and one shall serve for a term of two years; thereafter, the members of the board of directors from this state shall serve for terms of two years. The governor may remove any member at any time as provided in the bylaws and articles of incorporation of the fund. In the event of a vacancy, the governor shall appoint a successor to hold office for the remainder of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed. Any member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member's term until the member's successor takes office or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first.

Membership on the board does not constitute holding a public office or position of employment under the laws of this state and is not grounds for removal of public officers or employees from their offices or positions of employment.

Members of the board from this state shall receive no compensation, but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.

Effective Date: 06-30-1997.

Related Legislative Provision: See 129th General AssemblyFile No.39, SB 171, §4 .