(a) As of April 4, 2019:

(1) The existing membership of the Tennessee sports hall of fame board of directors is vacated and the board ceases to exist; and

(2) The position of executive director of the board of directors and any other position of employment with the board is vacated and those positions cease to exist.

(b)

(1) There is created within the department the Tennessee sports hall of fame board. The board is composed of nineteen (19) voting members as follows:

(A) Six (6) members each being appointed by the governor, the speaker of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives; and

(B) The commissioner.

(2) Each appointing authority shall appoint two (2) members from each grand division of this state, and when making future appointments, shall ensure that the grand divisions are equally represented.

(3) In order to stagger the terms of the newly appointed board members:

(A) The governor shall appoint six (6) persons to initial terms expiring on July 1, 2023;

(B) The speaker of the senate shall appoint six (6) persons to initial terms expiring on July 1, 2022; and

(C) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint six (6) persons to initial terms expiring on July 1, 2021.

(4) Following the initial terms, all appointed members of the board shall serve terms of four (4) years. A member shall not serve more than two (2) consecutive four-year terms.

(5) Existing members of the Tennessee sports hall of fame board of directors, as of the day immediately preceding April 4, 2019, are not eligible for appointment to the board.

(c) In the event of a vacancy for an appointed member of the board, the respective appointing authority shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. Each appointee shall serve until a successor is duly appointed and qualified.

(d) The commissioner shall call the first meeting of the board after April 4, 2019. At the first meeting, and at the first meeting of each year thereafter, the board shall elect from among its members:

(1) A chair, vice chair, and any other officers deemed necessary; and

(2) An executive committee to be composed of seven (7) members, with two (2) members representing each grand division of this state, and the commissioner, who shall serve as chair of the executive committee. The executive committee shall adopt bylaws prescribing the duties and functions of the committee.

(e) The board shall meet at the call of the chair and not less than two (2) times per year.

(f) The members of the board are not entitled to any compensation for their service on the board, nor are the members entitled to per diem or travel expenses for purposes of carrying out their duties under this part.

(g) Meetings of the board must comply with the open meeting requirements of title 8, chapter 44.

(h) All records of the board are deemed to be public records for purposes of the public records law, compiled in title 10, chapter 7.

(i) The board may employ an executive director and other employees as the board deems necessary to carry out its functions and duties. The executive director and employees serve at the pleasure of the commissioner. The executive director and employees are subject to an annual performance review by the commissioner, and upon such review, the commissioner shall report the findings to the board upon completion.

(j) The office of the comptroller may audit the board or the executive committee as it deems necessary.