(a)

(1) There is hereby created the state capitol commission, which shall be composed of seven (7) ex officio members, as follows: the commissioner of general services, the comptroller of the treasury, the secretary of state, the state treasurer, the commissioner of finance and administration, the commissioner of environment and conservation, and the chair of the Tennessee historical commission, or their respective designees. In addition, the membership shall include two (2) legislative members as follows: one (1) member appointed by the speaker of the senate and one (1) member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(2) The commission membership shall also include three (3) private citizens appointed by the governor to staggered terms of three (3) years.

(A) In appointing private citizens to serve on the state capitol commission, the governor shall strive to ensure that at least one (1) such citizen serving on the commission is sixty (60) years of age or older and that at least one (1) such citizen serving on the commission is a member of a racial minority.

(B) At least one (1) of the private citizens appointed by the governor shall be a black person.

(C)

(i) In appointing private citizens to serve on the state capitol commission, the governor shall appoint one (1) person from each of the three (3) grand divisions of the state.

(ii) The private citizen members serving on the commission on March 20, 2012, shall continue to serve until they either vacate their positions or their terms of office expire, whichever occurs first, whereupon the governor shall appoint persons to fill the positions in accordance with subdivision (a)(2)(C)(i).

(b) The governor shall appoint a chair from among the full membership of the commission.

(c) All members shall serve without compensation, but shall be eligible for reimbursement for travel expenses in accordance with the comprehensive travel regulations as promulgated by the department of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general and reporter.