A. There is hereby created the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, which shall be the successor to the Oklahoma Aviation Commission created by Section 81 et seq. of this title. The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission shall consist of seven (7) members, who shall be appointed by the Governor and who shall continue in office, as designated by the Governor at the time of appointment, through the last day of the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh calendar years, respectively, following the passage of this act, with the initial seventh member remaining in office until the end of the calendar year 1979. The successors of the members initially appointed shall be appointed for terms of six (6) years in the same manner as the members originally appointed under this act, except that any person appointed to fill a vacancy shall be appointed only for the remainder of such term. Each member shall serve until the appointment and qualification of a successor. One member shall be appointed from each congressional district and any remaining members shall be appointed from the state at large. However, when congressional districts are redrawn each member appointed prior to July 1 of the year in which such modification becomes effective shall complete the current term of office and appointments made after July 1 of the year in which such modification becomes effective shall be based on the redrawn districts. Appointments made after July 1 of the year in which such modification becomes effective shall be from any redrawn districts which are not represented by a board member until such time as each of the modified congressional districts are represented by a board member. No appointments may be made after July 1 of the year in which such modification becomes effective if such appointment would result in more than two members serving from the same modified district. To qualify for appointment to the Commission, an appointee shall have the following minimum qualifications:

1. A citizen and bona fide resident of the state;

2. Three (3) years' experience in aeronautical activities, such as general aviation, agricultural aviation, airport management, or air carrier operation.

Members of the Commission shall receive no salary but shall be entitled to be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses pursuant to the State Travel Reimbursement Act. The members of the Commission may be removed by the Governor for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office in the manner provided by law for the removal of officers not subject to impeachment.

B. 1. A Director of Aeronautics shall be appointed by the Commission, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Commission. The Director shall be appointed with due regard to such person's fitness, by aeronautical education and by knowledge of and recent practical experience in aeronautics for the efficient dispatch of the powers and duties duly vested in and imposed upon the Director. The Director shall devote full time to the duties of the office and shall not be actively engaged or employed in any other business, vocation, or employment, nor shall the Director have any pecuniary interest in or any stock in or bonds of any civil aeronautics enterprise. The Director shall be reimbursed for all traveling and other expenses incurred in the discharge of the official duties of the Director, subject to general statutory limitations on such expenses as contained in the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

2. The Director shall be the executive officer of the Commission and under its supervision shall administer the provisions of this act and rules, regulations, and orders established thereunder and all other laws of the state relative to aeronautics. The Director shall attend all meetings of the Commission, but shall have no vote. The Director shall be in charge of the offices of the Commission and responsible to the Commission for the preparation of reports and the collection and dissemination of data and other public information relating to aeronautics. The Director is hereby empowered to execute all contracts entered into by the Commission.

3. The Commission may, by written order filed in its office, delegate to the Director any of the powers or duties vested in or imposed upon it by this act. Such delegated powers and duties may be exercised by the Director in the name of the Commission.

4. The Director shall appoint, subject to the approval of the Commission, such experts, field and office assistants, clerks, and other employees as may be required and authorized for the proper discharge of the functions of the Commission.

C. The Commission shall, within thirty (30) days after its appointment, organize, adopt a seal, and make such rules and regulations for its administration, not inconsistent herewith, nor inconsistent with, or contrary to, any act of the Congress of the United States or regulations promulgated or standards established pursuant thereto, as it may deem expedient and from time to time amend such rules and regulations. At such organizational meeting it shall elect from among its members a chair, a vice chair, and a secretary, to serve for one (1) year, and annually thereafter shall elect such officers, all to serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. The Commission shall schedule meetings at a convenient time and place as they become necessary. Four (4) members shall constitute a quorum, and no action shall be taken by less than a majority of the Commission. Special meetings may be called as provided by the rules and regulations of the Commission. Regular meetings shall be held at the established offices of the Commission, but, whenever the convenience of the public or of the parties may be promoted, or delay or expense may be prevented, the Commission may hold meetings, hearings, or proceedings at any other place designated by it. The Commission shall report in writing to the Governor on or about January 31 of each year. The report shall contain a summary of the proceedings of the Commission during the preceding fiscal year, a detailed and itemized statement of all revenue and of all expenditures made by or in behalf of the Commission, such other information as it may deem necessary or useful, and any additional information which may be requested by the Governor.

D. Suitable office space shall be provided by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for the Commission in the City of Oklahoma City, and the Commission may incur the necessary expense for office rent, furniture, stationery, printing, incidental expenses, and other necessary expenses needed for the administration of this act.

Added by Laws 1963, c. 354, § 4, emerg. eff. June 22, 1963. Amended by Laws 1967, c. 146, § 1, emerg. eff. April 27, 1967; Laws 1974, c. 195, § 4, emerg. eff. May 15, 1974; Laws 1983, c. 304, § 2, eff. July 1, 1983; Laws 1985, c. 178, § 6, operative July 1, 1985; Laws 1995, c. 181, § 3, eff. July 1, 1995; Laws 2002, c. 375, § 1, eff. Nov. 5, 2002; Laws 2005, c. 100, § 1, eff. July 1, 2005; Laws 2012, c. 304, § 20.