Effective: September 29, 2015
Latest Legislation: House Bill 141 - 131st General Assembly
(A) There is hereby created the Ohio African-American hall of fame governing board to raise funds for the Ohio African-American hall of fame, to commission a business plan for implementation of the hall of fame, to advise the Ohio history connection in the performance of its duties under section 149.305 of the Revised Code, and to select and induct persons into the hall of fame pursuant to that section. The board shall consist of thirteen voting members who have demonstrated interest in preserving African-American history. The members shall be appointed as follows:
(1) Three members appointed by the governor;
(2) Two members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(3) Two members appointed by the president of the senate;
(4) Two members appointed by the chair of the Ohio legislative black caucus;
(5) One member appointed by the national museum of Afro-American history and culture planning committee;
(6) One member appointed by the board of directors of the national underground railroad freedom center;
(7) One member appointed by the board of trustees of the Ohio history connection;
(8) One member appointed by the board of trustees of the Ohioana library association.
(B) Initial appointments to the governing board shall be made within ninety days after December 30, 2004. Of the initial appointments, the term of one member appointed by the governor, one member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one member appointed by the president of the senate, one member appointed by the chair of the Ohio legislative black caucus, the member appointed by the board of directors of the national underground railroad freedom center, and the member appointed by the board of trustees of the Ohioana library association shall be for a term ending one year after December 30, 2004. The initial terms of all other members shall be for a term ending two years after December 30, 2004. Thereafter, terms for all members shall be for two 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 the member's appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. Members may be reappointed. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration date of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office as a member for the remainder of that term. A member shall continue in office 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.
(C) All members of the governing board shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties. The expenses of the governing board shall be paid out of the African-American hall of fame fund created under section 149.305 of the Revised Code.
(D) The governing board shall elect a chairperson from its membership. It shall meet at least four times per year and shall keep a record of its proceedings, which shall be open to the public for inspection. A written notice of the time and place of each meeting shall be sent to each member. A majority of the members of the governing board shall constitute a quorum.
(E) The Ohio history connection may provide any necessary staff or services required by the governing board in the performance of its duties. Compensation for those services shall be paid out of the African-American hall of fame fund.
(F) The governing board may accept donations of historical items and artifacts for placement in the hall of fame and shall house those items and artifacts at the Ohio historical center in Columbus, Ohio, until a permanent hall of fame site is selected under section 149.305 of the Revised Code. After a permanent hall of fame site is selected, the governing board shall convey all donated items and artifacts to the private, nonprofit organization established under that section. All historical items and artifacts so conveyed shall remain the property of the hall of fame as part of its permanent collection. The governing board shall advise the private, nonprofit organization concerning the operation and maintenance of the hall of fame.
(G) The governing board is not subject to sections 101.82 to 101.87 of the Revised Code.