A. The “border authority” is created. The authority is a state agency and is administratively attached to the economic development department.

B. The authority consists of seven voting members, six of whom shall be appointed by the governor. No more than three of those appointed shall belong to the same political party. The seventh member shall be the secretary of economic development or the secretary’s designee. The voting members appointed by the governor shall be confirmed by the senate. The lieutenant governor shall serve as a nonvoting ex-officio member. The chair may appoint a nonvoting advisory committee to provide advice and recommendations on authority matters.

C. The six voting members of the authority appointed by the governor shall be citizens of the state and shall serve for terms of four years except for the initial appointees who shall be appointed so that the terms are staggered after initial appointment. Initial appointees shall serve terms as follows: two members for two years, two members for three years and two members for four years.