To enact section 1541.50 of the Revised Code to establish the State Recreational Vehicle Fund Advisory Board for the purpose of providing advice to the Department of Natural Resources regarding the use of state recreational vehicle money and studying the feasibility of establishing a grant program to fund recreational vehicle projects.

Section 1. That section 1541.50 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 1541.50.  (A) There is hereby created the state recreational vehicle fund advisory board consisting of seven members. Not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section, the director of natural resources shall appoint all of the following members to the board:

(1) Two members who shall represent snowmobile users;

(2) Two members who shall represent all-purpose vehicle users;

(3) Two members who shall represent off-highway motorcycle users;

(4) One member who shall represent power sport dealers.

Of the initial appointments to the board, two shall serve for a one-year term, two shall serve for a two-year term, and three shall serve for a three-year term. Thereafter, terms of office shall be for three years, with each term ending on the same day of the same month as did the term that it succeeds. Each member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed.

(B) After the initial appointments, the director of natural resources shall appoint members of the board in consultation with the following:

(1) A list of candidates provided by a recognized statewide organization representing snowmobile users if the member being appointed will replace a member who represents snowmobile users;

(2) A list of candidates provided by a recognized statewide organization representing all-purpose vehicle users if the member being appointed will replace a member who represents all-purpose vehicle users;

(3) A list of candidates provided by a recognized statewide organization representing off-highway motorcycle users if the member being appointed will replace a member who represents off-highway motorcycle users;

(4) A list of candidates provided by a recognized statewide organization representing power sport dealers if the member being appointed will replace a member who represents power sport dealers.

Two weeks prior to the expiration of a member's term of office, or as soon as possible prior to or after a vacancy on the board, an applicable organization shall submit a list of candidates for the position.

(C) Members may be reappointed. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration date of the term for which the member was appointed shall serve for the remainder of that term. A member shall continue to serve subsequent to the expiration date of the member's term until the member's successor takes office or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first.

(D) Serving as a member of the board does not constitute holding a public office or position of employment under the laws of this state and does not constitute grounds for removal of public officers or employees from their offices or positions of employment.

(E) A board member shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of duties as a board member.

(F) The state recreational vehicle fund advisory board shall provide advice to the department of natural resources regarding the use of state recreational vehicle fund money. The board also shall study the feasibility of establishing a grant program to fund recreational vehicle projects on both public and private lands. Not later than one year after the effective date of this section, the board shall issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the director of natural resources, the president and minority leader of the senate, the speaker and minority leader of the house of representatives, and the chairperson and the ranking minority member of the committee of the house of representatives and the committee of the senate with primary responsibility over issues related to natural resources.