(1) There is created a public body corporate and politic to be known as the “Wisconsin Aerospace Authority.” The board of the authority shall consist of the following members: (a) Six members nominated by the governor, and with the advice and consent of the senate appointed, for 3-year terms. (b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate, and one member of the assembly, appointed by the speaker of the assembly, each for a 3-year term. (c) The director of the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium or the director’s designee. If the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium ceases to exist or does not appoint a director, an additional member of the board shall be appointed under par. (a) in lieu of the member under this paragraph. (2) Except for the member specified under sub. (1) (c), each member of the board shall be a resident of the state and shall have experience in the aerospace or commercial space industry, in education, or in finance or shall have other significant experience related to the functions of the authority as specified in this subchapter. (3) (a) The terms of the members appointed under sub. (1) (a) and (b) expire on June 30. Each member’s appointment remains in effect until a successor is appointed unless the member vacates or is removed from his or her office. A member who serves as a result of holding another office or position vacates his or her office as a member when he or she vacates the other office or position. A member who ceases to qualify for office vacates his or her office. (b) A vacancy on the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment to the board for the remainder of the unexpired term, if any. (c) A member appointed under sub. (1) (a) may be removed by the governor for cause. A member appointed under sub. (1) (b) shall be removed, as applicable, by the president of the senate or the speaker of the assembly if the member is absent at 2 consecutive board meetings without the prior written approval of the chairperson of the board. A vacancy on the board created by removal under this paragraph is subject to par. (b). (d) A member of the board appointed under sub. (1) (a) or (b) may not serve more than 3 consecutive 3-year terms, but may be reappointed to additional terms after a one-year absence from the board. (e) A member of the board may hold public office or otherwise be publicly or privately employed. (4) (a) A member of the board may not be compensated for his or her services but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of his or her duties. (b) The amount of reimbursement under par. (a) shall be limited to the uniform travel schedule amounts approved under s. 20.916 (8). (5) No cause of action of any nature may arise against and no civil liability may be imposed upon a member of the board for any act or omission in the performance of his or her powers and duties under this subchapter, unless the person asserting liability proves that the act or omission constitutes willful misconduct. (6) The members of the board shall annually elect a chairperson and may elect other officers as they consider appropriate. Five members of the board constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business and exercising the powers of the authority, notwithstanding the existence of any vacancy. The board may take action upon a vote of a majority of the members present, unless the bylaws of the authority require a larger number. The board shall meet at least once every 6 months, but may meet more frequently. Except as provided in s. 114.65 (4), meetings of the board are subject to the open meetings requirements specified in subch. V of ch. 19. (7) The board shall appoint an executive director who may not be a member of the board and who shall serve at the pleasure of the board. The authority may delegate by resolution to one or more of its members or its executive director any powers and duties that it considers proper. The board shall determine the compensation of the executive director. The executive director or another person designated by resolution of the board shall keep a record of the proceedings of the authority and shall be custodian of all books, documents, and papers filed with the authority, the minute book or journal of the authority, and its official seal. The executive director or other person may cause copies to be made of all minutes and other records and documents of the authority and may give certificates under the official seal of the authority to the effect that the copies are true copies, and all persons dealing with the authority may rely upon the certificates. The executive director may call meetings of the board more frequently than the meetings required under sub. (6).
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