2. a. The New Jersey-Israel Commission continued pursuant to Executive Order No. 49 of 2007, together with its functions, powers, duties, and subcommittees is hereby continued and established as a permanent commission in the Department of State, in accordance with the provisions of this act, P.L.2008, c.125 (C. 52:16A-104 et seq.).

b. Upon the effective date of this act and through December 31, 2011, the commission shall consist of a minimum of 15 members and a maximum of 100 members, to be appointed by the Governor. Eight members of the commission shall be members of the Legislature. Four of the legislative members shall be members of the General Assembly, no more than two of whom shall be of the same political party, and four shall be members of the Senate, no more than two of whom shall be of the same political party. The eight legislative members shall be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the General Assembly and the President of the Senate, respectively. All members of the commission shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor, and vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments were made. The members of the commission appointed pursuant to Executive Order No. 49 of 2007 and serving on the effective date of this act shall continue as members of the commission until December 31, 2011 on which date the appointments of all the members shall expire.

c. On January 1, 2012 and thereafter, the membership of the commission shall consist of 85 members to be appointed by the Governor, as follows:

(1) Eight members of the commission shall be members of the Legislature. Four of the legislative members shall be members of the General Assembly, no more than two of whom shall be of the same political party, and four shall be members of the Senate, no more than two of whom shall be of the same political party. The eight legislative members shall be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the General Assembly and the President of the Senate, respectively. The legislative members shall serve during the two-year legislative term in which the appointment is made.

(2) Seventy-seven members of the commission shall be members of the public, to be appointed by the Governor to serve for a term of three years, except that of those 77 members first appointed, 25 shall be appointed to serve an initial term of two years, 25 shall be appointed to serve an initial term of three years, and 27 shall be appointed to serve an initial term of four years.

(3) A vacancy in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment is made.

d. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for expenses actually incurred in the performance of their duties, within the limit of funds appropriated to the commission or otherwise made available to it for its purposes.

e. The commission may meet and hold hearings at the places it designates throughout the State.

L.2008, c.125, s.2.