As used in this Article, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(1)        “Appointing authority” means the Governor, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, President pro tempore of the Senate, members of the Council of State, all heads of the executive departments of State government, the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, and any other person or group authorized by law to appoint to a public office.

(2)        “Public office” means appointive membership on any State commission, council, committee, board, including occupational licensing boards as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 93B-1, board of trustees, including boards of constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina and boards of community colleges operated pursuant to Chapter 115D of the N.C. Gen. Stat., and any other State agency created by law, where the appointee is entitled to draw subsistence, per diem compensation, or travel allowances, in whole or in part from funds deposited with the State Treasurer or any other funds subject to being? audited by the State Auditor, by reason of his service in the public office; provided that “public office” does not include an office for which a regular salary is paid to the holder as an employee of the State or of one of its departments, agencies, or institutions. (1979, c. 477, s. 1; 1987, c. 564, s. 27.)