(a)

(1) There is created, as an independent entity of state government, the bureau of ethics and campaign finance, referred to in this chapter as the “bureau.”

(2) The bureau shall be composed of two (2) divisions as follows:

(A) The Tennessee registry of election finance, established by title 2, chapter 10, part 2; and

(B) The Tennessee ethics commission, established by title 3, chapter 6, part 1.

(3) The bureau shall be governed by a board of directors to be composed of the six (6) members of the registry of election finance and the six (6) members of the ethics commission.

(b) The bureau of ethics and campaign finance shall be attached to the department of state for all administrative matters relating to receipts, disbursements, expense accounts, budget, audit and other related items. The autonomy of the bureau and its authority is absolute and the secretary of state shall have no administrative or supervisory control over the bureau.

(c) The board of directors shall elect a chair from among its membership. The chair shall serve in that capacity for one (1) year and shall be eligible for reelection. The chair shall preside at all meetings and shall have all the powers and privileges of the other members.

(d) Eight (8) members of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum and eight (8) affirmative votes are required for any action by the board of directors. Special meetings shall be called by the chair on the chair's initiative or upon the written request of eight (8) members. Members shall receive written notice three (3) days in advance of a special meeting. Notice shall be served personally or left at a member's usual place of residence and shall specify the purpose, time and place of the meeting. No matters unrelated to the specified purpose may be considered without a specific waiver by all members of the board of directors.