(a) There is established within the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation a commission for the regulation of horse racing known as the Virgin Islands Horse Racing Commission. The Commission is composed of nine voting members. Four members must reside in the district of St. Croix, and four members must reside in the district of St. Thomas and St. John, with one member residing in St. John. The Governor shall appoint the eight members with the advice and consent of the Legislature. The Commissioner of Sports, Parks and Recreation shall serve ex officio as the ninth voting member of the Commission. A quorum consists of not fewer than two members from the district of St. Croix and two members from St. Thomas-St. John district.
(b) In the initial appointments, under subsection (a), two members must be appointed for two years and two members for three years. Thereafter, all appointments are for six years; but the appointment of a member to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed is only for the remainder of such term. Each member shall serve until the appointment and qualification of the member’s successor.
(c) The members of the Commission shall annually elect one of their members to serve as chair of the Commission; but the Commissioner of Sports, Parks and Recreation shall call the initial meeting of the Commission for the purpose of organizing the Commission.
(d) Any member may be removed by the Governor for cause.
(e) In addition to actual travelling expenses, each member of the Commission shall receive $500 for each race day spent in performing the duties of the Commission.
(f) The Commission has such powers, duties and authority as are prescribed by law. No member of the Commission, who has a pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, in any horse registered for participation in horse races in the Virgin Islands, may participate in any meeting, hearing, decision, or determination in relation to—
(1) the order of finish of any race;
(2) the disqualification of any horse participating in a race;
(3) the granting, denial, suspension, or revocation of any license; and
(4) the imposition of any administrative penalties or sanctions.