A.  The Ouachita Expressway Authority, hereafter referred to as the “authority”, is hereby created possessing full corporate powers to promote, plan, finance, develop, construct, control, regulate, operate, and maintain any limited access tollway or transitway to be constructed within its jurisdiction.  This expressway shall not connect in any manner with Forsythe Avenue in the city of Monroe.

B.  The domicile of the authority shall be Ouachita Parish.

C.  The governing body of the authority shall be a board of commissioners which is hereby created.  The board shall have full power to promulgate rules and regulations for the maintenance and operation of the authority.  The Ouachita Expressway Authority membership shall be representative as near as practicable by race and gender of the Ouachita parish population as of the most recent federal decennial census.  The board shall be composed of fifteen commissioners as follows:

(1)  Two members appointed by the Ouachita Parish Police Jury.

(2)  One member appointed by the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.

(3)  One member appointed by the West Monroe/West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce.

(4)  One member appointed by president of the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

(5)  Two members appointed by the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

(6)  One member appointed by the United States representative from the fifth congressional district.

(7)  One member appointed by the Ouachita Council of Governments.

(8)  The state representative from House District No. Sixteen or his designee.

(9)  The state senator from Senate District No. Thirty-Three or his designee.

(10)  The state representative from House District No. Seventeen or his designee.

(11)  The state senator from Senate District No. Thirty-Four or his designee.

(12)  The state representative from House District No. Fifteen or his designee.

(13)  The state senator from Senate District No. Thirty-Five or his designee.

D.  The members of the board shall take and subscribe to the oath of office required of public officials.  Appointed commissioners shall serve two-year terms and shall serve until their successors are appointed and sworn into office.  Commissioners may be removed from office by their appointing authority.

E.  A majority of the members of the board of commissioners shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of official business.  All official actions of the board shall require an affirmative vote of a majority of the commissioners present and voting at any meeting.

F.  Members of the board shall not receive any salary for the performance of  their  duties as commissioners.  Appointed commissioners may be reimbursed for mileage expenses incurred for attendance at meetings of the board if traveling from outside of Ouachita Parish.  The mileage allowance shall be fixed by the board in an amount not to exceed the mileage allowance authorized under state travel regulations at rates and standards as promulgated  by the division of administration subject to the availability of funds.

G.  The board shall meet at least quarterly and may meet more frequently upon call of the chairman or as provided by a vote of the majority of the members of the board.

H.  The boundary and jurisdiction of the authority  shall  be  coextensive with the boundaries of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana.

I.  The board and all members thereof shall be subject to the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. 42:1101 et seq.

J.  The board may perform, procure from the Department of Transportation and Development with the consent of its secretary, or procure from outside service providers any service or portion of services necessary to fulfill the duties and obligations of the board or the authority.

Acts 2007, No. 329, §1.