As used in this Part:

(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 State person or group of State persons authorized by law to appoint to a public office.

(2)        “Employing entity” means and includes:

a.         Any State entity enumerated in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143B-3 of the Executive Organization Act of 1973;

b.         Any city or county board of education under Chapter 115 of the N.C. Gen. Stat.; or

c.         Any board of trustees of a community college under Chapter 115D of the N.C. Gen. Stat..

(3)        “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 under Chapter 115D of the N.C. Gen. Stat., and any other State agency created by law; 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.

(4)        “Public official” means any person who is a member of any public office as defined by this Part. ?(1979, c. 864, s. 1; 1987, c. 564, ss. 29, 30.)