LAW
Writer®
Ohio Laws and Rules
There is hereby created in the division of watercraft, a waterways safety council composed of five members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Not more than three of such appointees shall belong to the same political party. Terms of office shall be for five years, commencing on the first day of February and ending on the thirty-first day of January, except that upon expiration of the term ending February 4, 1973, the new term which succeeds it shall commence on February 5, 1973 and end on January 31, 1978; upon expiration of the term ending February 3, 1974, the new term which succeeds it shall commence on February 4, 1974 and end on January 31, 1979; upon expiration of the term ending February 2, 1975, the new term which succeeds it shall commence on February 3, 1975 and end on January 31, 1980; and upon expiration of the term ending February 6, 1977, the new term which succeeds it shall commence on February 7, 1977 and end on January 31, 1982. Each member shall hold office from the date of his appointment until the end of the term for which he was appointed. The chief of the division of watercraft shall act as secretary of the council. In the event of the death, removal, resignation, or incapacity of a member of the council the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term who shall hold office for the remainder of the term for which his predecessor was appointed. Any member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of his term until his successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first. The governor may remove any appointed member of the council for misfeasance, nonfeasance, or malfeasance in office.
The council may:
(A) Advise with and recommend to the chief as to plans and program for the construction, maintenance, repair, and operation of refuge harbors and other projects for the harboring, mooring, docking, and storing of light draft vessels as provided in sections 1547.71, 1547.72, and 1547.78 of the Revised Code;
(B) Advise with and recommend to the chief as to the methods of coordinating the shore erosion projects of the department of natural resources with the refuge of light draft vessel harbor projects;
(C) Consider and make recommendations upon any matter which is brought to its attention by any person or which the chief may submit to it;
(D) Submit to the governor biennially recommendations for amendments to the laws of the state relative to refuge and light draft vessel harbor projects.
Before entering upon the discharge of his duties, each member of the council shall take and subscribe to an oath of office, which oath, in writing, shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state.
The members of the council shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to receive their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties from the waterways safety fund as provided in section 1547.75 of the Revised Code.
The council shall, by a majority vote of all its members, adopt and amend bylaws.
To be eligible for appointment as a member of the council, a person shall be a citizen of the United States, an elector of the state, and possess a knowledge of and have an interest in small boat operations.
The council shall hold at least four regular quarterly meetings each year. Special meetings shall be held at such times as the bylaws of the council provide, or at the behest of a majority of its members. Notices of all meetings shall be given in such manner as the bylaws provide. The council shall choose annually from among its members a chairman to preside over its meetings. A majority of the members of the council shall constitute a quorum. No advice shall be given or recommendation made without a majority of the members of the council concurring therein.
Effective Date: 08-21-1973