There is hereby created in this state a De Soto Trail Commission, which shall be composed of one (1) representative from each state university to be appointed by the president of that institution and one (1) member from each county through which the Hernando de Soto Expedition traveled based on the alternate routes of the Final Report of the United States De Soto Expedition Commission. The county members of the commission shall be appointed by the Governor.
Four (4) additional members from the state at large shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History. The director of the Department of Archives and History shall serve as an ex officio member of the commission. The Department of Archives and History shall provide support services for the commission's meetings.