§402. Establishment and membership.

(a) Establishment.--The commission is hereby established within the department.

(b) Membership.--The commission shall be comprised of not more than 17 members as follows:

(1) The Lieutenant Governor.

(2) A member appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate.

(3) A member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(4) A member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(5) A member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(6) Up to 12 members appointed by the Governor as follows:

(i) One member shall have experience at the senior level of the military, such as an active duty retired three-star or four-star military officer, and shall be familiar with the operations represented by the installations and organizations stationed in this Commonwealth. The member shall serve as chairperson in the absence of the chairperson elected by a majority of the members.

(ii) At least ten members shall be representatives of the military installations or organizations stationed in this Commonwealth and shall have knowledge of the mission and operations of the installation or organization that they represent.

(iii) One member shall be an expert in the field of economic development and shall be knowledgeable in the missions and operations of the military in their respective regions of this Commonwealth.

(c) Chairperson.--A chairperson shall be elected by a majority of the commission members.

(d) Executive director.--The Governor shall appoint an executive director who shall be an employee of the department.

(e) Membership terms.--

(1) Members shall be appointed for a term of two years and serve until their respective successors are appointed. A member may be reappointed for additional terms. Members appointed by the Governor shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

(2) If a vacancy occurs on the commission, a successor shall be appointed in the same manner as the predecessor.

(3) A member who is absent from two consecutive meetings of the commission without a reasonable excuse, as determined by the chairperson, shall forfeit membership on the commission.

(4) Members shall not receive compensation for their services, but shall receive reimbursement for their necessary and proper expenses related to their duties on the commission.