§ 19-10-201 - Creation.
19-10-201. Creation.
(a) (1) There is created a commission to be known as the "Arkansas State Claims Commission". It shall consist of five (5) members to be known as "commissioners". Two (2) members shall be attorneys and one (1) member shall be a public-spirited person of recognized standing.
(2) (A) The commissioners shall be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. They shall serve for terms of five (5) years and thereafter until a successor has been appointed and qualified. A vacancy in the office of commissioner shall be filled by the Governor and that appointee shall hold office during the unexpired portion of the term in which the vacancy occurred.
(B) Members of the commission may be appointed to and may serve successive terms.
(b) Before entering upon the duties of his or her office, each commissioner shall take the constitutional oath of office.
(c) (1) A commissioner shall not hear or participate in the consideration of any claim in which he or she is interested personally, either directly or indirectly.
(2) If for reasons of conflicts of interest a commissioner disqualifies himself or herself is absent for any reason from hearing a particular claim, the interested parties may request that a third special commissioner be appointed by the Governor to hear a specific claim.
(d) The commission shall elect from its membership a chair.
(e) (1) Each commissioner shall receive such salary as may be prescribed by law and appropriated by the General Assembly. The salary shall be paid in the manner as are salaries of other state officials and employees.
(2) In addition to salary, each member may receive expense reimbursement in accordance with 25-16-901 et seq.