1. There is hereby established the “Ozark Exploration Bicentennial Commission”.

2. The commission shall consist of the following members:

Terms Used In Missouri Laws 620.2100

  • following: when used by way of reference to any section of the statutes, mean the section next preceding or next following that in which the reference is made, unless some other section is expressly designated in the reference. See Missouri Laws 1.020
  • President pro tempore: A constitutionally recognized officer of the Senate who presides over the chamber in the absence of the Vice President. The President Pro Tempore (or, "president for a time") is elected by the Senate and is, by custom, the Senator of the majority party with the longest record of continuous service.
  • State: when applied to any of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" includes such district and territories. See Missouri Laws 1.020

(1) Two representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(2) Two senators appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate;

(3) One faculty member of Missouri State University appointed by university leadership;

(4) The director of the division of tourism or his or her designee;

(5) Two members representing historical societies within the area of exploration, one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate;

(6) Two members of the public appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

(7) Two members of the public appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate.

3. Members of the commission shall be appointed by October 1, 2017.

4. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation. The division of tourism shall provide administrative support for the commission.

5. There is hereby established in the state treasury the “Ozark Exploration Bicentennial Fund” to be held separate and apart from all other public moneys and funds of the state. The fund may accept state and federal appropriations, grants, bequests, gifts, fees, and awards to be held for use by the Ozark exploration bicentennial commission. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 33.080 to the contrary, moneys remaining in the fund at the end of any biennium shall not revert to general revenue. The state treasurer shall be custodian of the fund. In accordance with sections 30.170 and 30.180, the state treasurer may approve disbursements. The state treasurer shall invest moneys in the fund in the same manner as other funds are invested. Any interest and moneys earned on such investments shall be credited to the fund.

6. The duties of the commission shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Organizing and coordinating efforts relating to the bicentennial celebration of the exploration of the Ozarks in 1819; and

(2) Promoting public awareness of the importance and cultural significance of the exploration to Missouri history.

7. The commission shall be dissolved and the provisions of this section shall expire on June 30, 2019.