(a) The governing boards of directors of the eight (8) economic development districts are recognized as the representative organizations of the initial planning and development districts as recognized in § 14-166-202.
(b) In order to qualify for the benefits of the provisions of this subchapter, the representative organization of a planning and development district shall have a governing board of directors, a majority of whose members are elected officials of local governments and the remainder of whose members represent economic development organizations and organizations broadly representative of diverse community interests.
(c)
(1) The operations of representative organizations of planning and development districts shall be solely within the discretion and control of the local governing boards of directors of the respective districts, it not being the intention of the General Assembly that anything in this subchapter creates any power, authority, or control in any state agency over the management and operations of the organizations.
(2) Continued state financial support of organizations as provided in this subchapter shall terminate with respect to any organization that uses state funds for any purpose not within the intent and purposes of this subchapter until the organization shall make restitution for any misused funds and furnishes proof of compliance with respect to future operations.