(A) There is hereby created the Ohio cemetery dispute resolution commission, which shall consist of nine members to be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate as follows:

(1) One member shall be the management authority of a municipal, township, or union cemetery and shall be selected from a list of four names submitted to the governor. Two of the four names shall be submitted by the Ohio township association and two names shall be submitted by the Ohio municipal league.

(2) Four members shall be individuals employed in a management position by a cemetery company or cemetery association selected from a list of names submitted to the governor by the Ohio cemetery association .

(3) Two members shall be employed in a management position by a cemetery that is owned or operated by a religious, fraternal, or benevolent society and shall be selected from a list of four names submitted by the Ohio cemetery association .

(4) Two members, at least one of whom shall be at least sixty-five years of age, shall be representatives of the public with no financial interest in the death care industry.

Each member of the commission, except for the two members who represent the public, shall, at the time of appointment, have had a minimum of five consecutive years of experience in the active administration and management of a cemetery in this state.

(B) Within ninety days after July 1, 1993, the governor shall make initial appointments to the commission. Of the initial appointments, two shall be for terms ending July 1, 1994, two shall be for terms ending July 1, 1995, two shall be for terms ending July 1, 1996, and three shall be for terms ending July 1, 1997. Thereafter, terms of office shall be for four years, with each term ending on the same day of the same month as did the term that it succeeds. Each member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments, with each appointee, other than a representative of the public, being appointed from a list of two names submitted to the governor by the association or organization that was required to nominate candidates for initial appointment to the position that has become vacant. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration date of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of that term. A 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. No person shall serve as a member of the commission for more than two consecutive terms, excluding any term served to fill an initial appointment to a term of less than four years or an unexpired term caused by a vacancy.

(C) The commission annually shall elect from among its members a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary, each of whom shall serve a term of one year in that office. The commission shall meet at least four times a year. Additional meetings may be called by the chairperson, or by the vice-chairperson when the chairperson is disabled, or by a majority of the members of the commission. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum to transact and vote on business of the commission.

The chairperson or vice-chairperson may:

(1) Administer oaths;

(2) Issue subpoenas;

(3) Summon witnesses;

(4) Compel the production of books, papers, records, and other forms of evidence;

(5) Fix the time and place for hearing any matter related to compliance with sections 1721.19, 1721.20, 1721.21, 1721.211, 4735.02, 4767.02, and 4767.09 of the Revised Code.

The chairperson shall designate three members of the commission to serve on the crematory review board in accordance with section 4717.03 of the Revised Code for such time as the chairperson finds appropriate. Members designated to serve on the crematory review board shall perform all functions necessary to carry out the duties of the board as described in section 4717.03 of the Revised Code. Members who serve on the crematory review board shall receive no compensation for such service.

(D) Before entering upon the duties of office, each member of the commission shall take the oath pursuant to section 3.22 of the Revised Code. The governor may remove any member for misconduct, neglect of duty, incapacity, or malfeasance in accordance with section 3.04 of the Revised Code.

(E) Members of the commission shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the commission.

(F) The division of real estate in the department of commerce shall provide the commission with meeting space, staff services, and other technical assistance required by the commission in carrying out its duties pursuant to sections 4767.05 to 4767.08 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 168, §1, eff. 10/29/2018.

Amended by 128th General AssemblyFile No.9, HB 1, §101.01, eff. 10/16/2009.

Effective Date: 08-05-1998 .

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