There is hereby created in the division of parks and watercraft a waterways safety council composed of five members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Not more than three of such appointees shall belong to the same political party. Terms of office shall be for five years, commencing on the first day of February and ending on the thirty-first day of January. Each member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. The chief of the division of parks and watercraft shall act as secretary of the council. In the event of the death, removal, resignation, or incapacity of a member of the council, the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term who shall 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. The governor may remove any appointed member of the council for misfeasance, nonfeasance, or malfeasance in office.

The council may:

(A) Advise with and recommend to the chief as to plans and programs for the construction, maintenance, repair, and operation of refuge harbors and other projects for the harboring, mooring, docking, and storing of light draft vessels as provided in sections 1547.71 and 1547.72 of the Revised Code;

(B) Advise with and recommend to the chief as to the methods of coordinating the shore erosion projects of the department of natural resources with the refuge of light draft vessel harbor projects;

(C) Advise with and recommend to the chief as to plans and programs for the acquisition, protection, construction, maintenance, and administration of wild river areas, scenic river areas, and recreational river areas;

(D) Consider and make recommendations upon any matter which is brought to its attention by any person or that the chief may submit to it;

(E) Submit to the governor biennially recommendations for amendments to the laws of the state relative to refuge and light draft vessel harbor projects.

Before entering upon the discharge of official duties, each member of the council shall take and subscribe to an oath of office, which oath, in writing, shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state.

The members of the council shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to receive their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties from the waterways safety fund as provided in section 1547.75 of the Revised Code.

The council shall, by a majority vote of all its members, adopt and amend bylaws.

To be eligible for appointment as a member of the council, a person shall be a citizen of the United States and an elector of the state and possess a knowledge of and have an interest in small boat operations.

The council shall hold at least four regular quarterly meetings each year. Special meetings shall be held at such times as the bylaws of the council provide, or at the behest of a majority of its members. Notices of all meetings shall be given in such manner as the bylaws provide. The council shall choose annually from among its members a chairperson to preside over its meetings. A majority of the members of the council shall constitute a quorum. No advice shall be given or recommendation made without a majority of the members of the council concurring therein.

Amended by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 49, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2017.

Amended by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, SB 293, §1, eff. 9/14/2016.

Amended by 128th General AssemblyFile No.9, HB 1, §101.01, eff. 7/17/2009.

Effective Date: 08-21-1973 .