Section 50-8-150. Creation of council; members; terms; officers; regular meetings; expenses; bylaws

   (a) There is created the Georgia Rural Development Council. The council shall advise the Governor on matters related to rural development and the preparation of a biennial rural economic development plan and any other such matters requested by the Governor. The council shall be composed of elected officials of municipalities, elected officials of counties, members of the General Assembly, and other persons knowledgeable about the community and economic development of rural areas appointed by the Governor. In making appointments to the council, the Governor shall ensure that members include representatives from throughout rural Georgia.

(b) Members of the council shall serve terms of office of two years and until their successors are appointed by the Governor and qualified.

(c) The officers of the council shall consist of the Governor, who shall serve as the chairperson, a vice chairperson, and a secretary. Except for the chairperson, the council shall elect officers at its July meeting or, if there is no July meeting, at the next scheduled meeting. The vice chairperson and secretary shall serve one-year terms until their replacements are selected and qualified.

(d) The council shall meet at least twice a year; however, the Governor may call additional special meetings.

(e) Membership on the council shall not preclude the member from holding other public office. Each member of the council shall receive the same per diem expense allowance as that received by members of the General Assembly for each day a councilmember is in attendance at a meeting of the council, plus reimbursement for actual transportation costs incurred while traveling by public carrier or the mileage allowance authorized for certain state officials and employees for the use of a personal automobile in connection with such attendance. The above shall be paid in lieu of any other per diem, allowance, or remuneration.

(f) The council shall adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and conduct of its business.

Code 1981, § 50-8-150, enacted by Ga. L. 1988, p. 291, § 1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 988, § 1; Ga. L. 2005, p. 143, § 2/SB 144.