GOVERNING BODY; TERMS

(a) The district is initially governed by a board of 11 directors. (b) The commissioners courts of Chambers County, Galveston County, Harris County, Jefferson County, and Orange County each shall appoint one director. (c) The governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint six directors as follows: (1) two directors to represent Harris County, in addition to the member appointed by the commissioners court under Subsection (b); (2) one director to represent a municipality in the district; (3) one director to represent ports; (4) one director to represent industry; and (5) one director to represent environmental concerns. (c-1) If the territory of a county is annexed to the district under Section 9502.0104(b): (1) the commissioners court of the county shall appoint one additional director; and (2) the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint one additional director as needed to ensure the board has an odd number of directors. (d) In making the appointments required by Subsections (c) and (c-1), the governor shall ensure that residents of a single county do not make up a majority of the directors. (e) The governor shall consult with: (1) the commissioners court of Harris County in making the appointments required by Subsection (c)(1); and (2) municipalities in the district in making the appointment required by Subsection (c)(2). (f) Directors serve staggered four-year terms. (g) When a director's term expires, the appointing entity shall appoint a successor. (h) If a director's office becomes vacant by death, resignation, or removal, the appointing entity shall appoint a director to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. (i) The governor shall appoint a presiding officer from among the directors to serve in that position for two years. A director may serve as the presiding officer for not more than two consecutive terms.