§29-22-4. State Lottery Commission created; composition; qualifications; appointment; terms of office; chairman's removal; vacancies; compensation and expenses; quorum; oath and bond.

(a) There is hereby created a State Lottery Commission which shall consist of seven members, all residents and citizens of the state, one who shall be a lawyer, one who shall be a certified public accountant, one who shall be a computer expert, one who shall have not less than five years' experience in law enforcement and one who shall be qualified by experience and training in the field of marketing. The two remaining members shall be representative of the public at large. The commission shall carry on a continuous study and investigation of the lottery throughout the state and advise and assist the director of the state lottery. The commission members shall be appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, no later than July 1, 1985. The terms of members first appointed expire as designated by the Governor at the time of appointment: One at the end of one year; two at the end of two years; one at the end of three years; two at the end of four years; and one at the end of five years. As vacancies occur, appointments to fill vacancies shall be made so that at least three members are appointed from each congressional district. No more than four members of such commission shall belong to the same political party. Members serve overlapping terms of five years and are eligible for successive appointments to the commission. On July 1 of each year, the commission shall select a chairman from its membership. The Governor may remove any commission member for cause, notwithstanding the provisions of §6-6-4 of this code. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment but only for the remainder of the term. No person convicted of a felony shall be eligible for appointment nor appointed as a commissioner.

(b) The board shall pay each member the same compensation as is paid to members of the Legislature for their interim duties as recommended by the Citizens Legislative Compensation Commission and authorized by law for each day or portion thereof engaged in the discharge of official duties and shall reimburse each member for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of official duties: Provided, That the per mile rate to be reimbursed shall be the same rate as authorized for members of the Legislature. All such payments shall be made from the State Lottery Fund.

(c) At least one meeting per month shall be held by the commission. Additional meetings may be held at the call of the chairman, director, or majority of the commission members.

(d) A majority of the members constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business, and all actions require a majority vote of the members present.

(e) Before entering upon the discharge of the duties as commissioner, each commissioner shall take and subscribe to the oath of office prescribed in section five, article IV of the Constitution of West Virginia and shall enter into a bond in the penal sum of $100,000 with a corporate surety authorized to engage in business in this state, conditioned upon the faithful discharge and performance of the duties of the office. The executed oath and bond shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State.