A. There is hereby created the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, which shall consist of nine (9) members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. At least one member shall be appointed from each congressional district, and at least three of the remaining members shall be experienced in the horse industry and 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 is represented by a board member.

B. To be eligible for appointment to the Commission, a person shall:

1. Be a citizen of the United States;

2. Have been a resident of this state for five (5) years immediately preceding the appointment; and

3. Not have been convicted of a felony pursuant to the laws of this state, the laws of any other state, or the laws of the United States as established by a national criminal history record check as defined by Section 150.9 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

C. The term of office of a member of the Commission shall be for six (6) years and until a successor is appointed and qualified.

D. The Governor may remove any member of the Commission for incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office upon first giving the member a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be heard. A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment made by the Governor.

Added by State Question No. 553, Initiative Petition No. 315, adopted at election held Sept. 21, 1982. Amended by Laws 1983, c. 11, § 3, emerg. eff. March 22, 1983; Laws 1992, c. 364, § 3, emerg. eff. June 4, 1992; Laws 2002, c. 375, § 2, eff. Nov. 5, 2002; Laws 2003, c. 204, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2003; Laws 2005, c. 217, § 1, emerg. eff. May 24, 2005; Laws 2006, c. 177, § 2, emerg. eff. May 23, 2006.