A.  The governing body of a parish may, by resolution, create a public body to be known as a coliseum authority, which shall be authorized to exercise its functions upon the appointment and qualification of the first commissioners thereof.  Upon the adoption of a resolution creating a coliseum authority, the governing body of the parish shall, pursuant to the resolution, appoint not less than five nor more than nine persons as commissioners of the authority.  At least one, but not more than two commissioners shall be first appointed and designated to serve for terms of one year.  At least one, but not more than two commissioners shall be first appointed and designated to serve for terms of two years.  At least one, but not more than two commissioners shall be first appointed and designated to serve for terms of three years.  At least one, but not more than two commissioners shall be first appointed and designated to serve for terms of four years.  One commissioner shall be first appointed and designated to serve for a term of five years.  Thereafter, each commissioner shall be appointed for a term of five years, except that vacancies occurring otherwise than by the expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term, in the same manner as the original appointment.  When the governing body of the parish creates a coliseum authority, by resolution, such authority shall be perpetually in existence until revoked by resolution of said governing body.

B.  Each commissioner shall receive such per diem as the governing body may determine for each day actually spent in the exercise of the duties or powers of the authority.

C.(1)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary,  the governing authority of Iberia Parish may appoint two commissioners to the Acadiana Fairgrounds Commission who shall be residents of St. Martin Parish.  The commissioners from St. Martin Parish shall have all the rights and privileges accorded the other commissioners, including the right to vote on all matters brought before the commission.  The term of each commissioner shall be five years.

(2)  The terms of the commissioners serving on August 15, 2001, including the term of the commissioner serving at that time from St. Martin Parish, shall end at the same time their terms as commissioners otherwise would end.  The initial term for the second commissioner to be appointed from St. Martin Parish shall be for five years.  Thereafter, the successors of each commissioner shall be appointed for a term of five years, except that vacancies occurring otherwise than by the expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term, in the same manner as the original appointment.

Acts 1972, No. 440, §1; Acts 2001, No. 847, §§1 and 2.