A. The Virginia Gas and Oil Board is hereby established. The Board shall be composed of seven members and shall have the powers and duties as specified under this chapter.

B. The Governor shall appoint, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly, the chairman and six additional members of the Board as follows: two for an initial term of two years, two for an initial term of four years, and three for an initial term of six years. Thereafter, the members shall be appointed for terms of six years. At all times, the Board shall consist of the following qualified members: the Director or his designee; one but not more than one individual who is a representative of the gas and oil industry; one but not more than one individual who is a representative of the coal industry; and four other individuals who are not representatives of the gas, oil or coal industry. All vacancies occurring on the Board shall be filled by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly, for the unexpired term within sixty days of the occurrence of the vacancy. As the terms of office, respectively, of the members expire, the Governor shall appoint, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly, to fill the vacancies so occasioned, qualified persons whose terms shall be for six years from the day on which that of their immediate predecessor expired. The Governor shall seek to appoint persons who reside in localities with significant oil or gas production or storage.

C. Each member of the Board shall receive compensation and expenses in accordance with the provisions of § 2.2-2813.

1982, c. 347, § 45.1-295; 1985, c. 448; 1987, c. 452; 1988, c. 483; 1989, c. 529; 1990, c. 92; 1998, c. 159.