House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

An individual is limited to two terms of service on the Board, with a nomination and confirmation by the Senate before each. Additionally, an individual could continue to serve on the board for up to an additional year while a successor is found.

Presently, commissioners serve a term of 8 years. They are nominated by the governor and approved by a majority vote of the Senate. After serving one term, an individual is eligible for nomination to the Board for another term, after an 8 year absence.

By shortening the length of the term of a commissioner and by bringing prospective members before the Senate more often, this legislation seeks to accomplish several goals:

• To keep commissioners more responsive and representative of the contemporary outdoor community.

• By reducing the years of service, the point-of-view of future sitting commissioners will be closer aligned to that of the Governor who appoints them and the Senate that confirms them.

• By cutting in half the number of years that a commissioner must volunteer as an appointed board member, serving with no pay, more men and women will become interested in the challenging, time consuming position.

If you have any questions on this legislation, please email Steph in my office at shardman@pahouse.net .