Section 13:1L-8.3 - Board of directors, New Jersey State Parks and Open Space Foundationa. The New Jersey State Parks and Open Space Foundation shall be governed by a board of directors, which shall consist of 12 members, as follows:(1) the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, or the commissioner's designee, who shall serve as a nonvoting, ex officio member;(2) the Secretary of State, or the secretary's designee, who shall serve as a nonvoting, ex officio member;(3) the State Treasurer, of the treasurer's designee, who shall serve as a nonvoting, ex officio member;(4) the chairperson of the Garden State Preservation Trust established pursuant to section 4 of P.L. 1999, c. 152 (C.13:8C-4), or the chairperson's designee, who shall serve ex officio;(5) six members of the public, appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, who shall have expertise in open space preservation, recreational development, natural lands management, or fundraising. Of the public members appointed pursuant to this paragraph, at least three members shall represent nonprofit organizations having open space preservation or environmental education as their corporate purpose, and two members shall have experience advancing the causes of equity or environmental justice;(6) one member of the public appointed by the President of the Senate; and(7) one member of the public appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly.b. All public members of the board of directors shall be residents of the State and shall be selected to provide diverse geographic representation across the State. No person holding elective public office shall be eligible to be a member of the board of directors.c. Of the public members first appointed pursuant to paragraph (5) of subsection a. of this section, one shall be appointed to a term of one year, two shall be appointed to a term of two years, two shall be appointed to a term of three years, and one shall be appointed to term of four years. The public members appointed pursuant to paragraphs (6) and (7) of subsection a. of this section shall be appointed to terms of three years. Following the expiration of the original terms, the public members shall serve for a term of four years and shall be eligible for reappointment. Any vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, for the unexpired term. A public member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed.d. No member of the board of directors shall engage in any business transaction or professional activity for profit with the foundation or the department.e. Members of the board of directors shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for necessary and reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.f. The board of directors shall be authorized, within the limits of its own funds, to employ an executive director and professional, technical, and administrative personnel. Employees of the foundation shall not be construed to be employees of the State of New Jersey. The board shall also be authorized to contract for such professional and administrative services as it shall deem necessary.g. Upon the incorporation of the foundation and the establishment of the first board of directors, the board shall adopt bylaws setting forth the structure, officers, powers, and duties of the foundation and a code of ethics for the avoidance of conflicts of interest.h. The commissioner shall serve as the chairperson of the board. The members shall annually elect one of the public members as vice chairperson, and shall select a secretary and a treasurer, who need not be members of the foundation. The same person may be elected to serve as both secretary and treasurer.i. Five members of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum, and action may be taken, and motions and resolutions adopted at any meeting thereof by the affirmative vote of a majority of the appointed membership of the board of directors. No vacancy in the membership of the board shall impair the right of a quorum of the members to exercise all the powers and perform all the duties of the board. The board shall meet at the call of the chairperson, but not less than quarterly, or upon the request of any four members of the board of directors. The foundation shall in all respects comply with the provisions of the "Open Public Meetings Act," P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.).j. Members of the board and officers and employees of the foundation shall not be liable in an action for damages to any person for any action taken or recommendation made within the scope of their employment as a member, officer, or employee, if the action or recommendation was taken or made without malice. The members of the board shall be indemnified and their defense of any action provided for in the same manner and to the same extent as employees of the State under the "New Jersey Tort Claims Act,"N.J.S. 59:1-1 et seq., with respect to actions or omissions in the scope of their employment.k. The foundation may convene committees to administer the work of the foundation as it may deem appropriate, including for the consideration of specific fundraising strategies. The foundation shall convene committees dedicated to the solicitation and administration of funds for Liberty State Park, Island Beach State Park, and other specific State parks, or to open space, initiatives, or projects deemed appropriate by the board, and may solicit and accept specifically dedicated donations, which shall be subject to separate and distinct accounting.Added by L. 2023, c. 256, s. 3, eff. 1/12/2024.