2. a. There is established in, but not of, the Department of State the New Jersey Puerto Rico Commission. The commission shall consist of 35 members, to be appointed as follows.

Two members of the Legislature shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, neither of whom shall be members of the same political party; and two members of the Legislature shall be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, neither of whom shall be members of the same political party. The legislative members of the commission shall serve during the two-year legislative term in which the appointments are made.

Thirty one members of the commission shall be appointed by the Governor. Sixteen members shall serve for a term of three years and 15 shall serve for a term of four years. The 31 members thus appointed shall include at least one representative from: a State institution of higher education; an electric or gas public utility; the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, or its successor organization; the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, or its successor organization; and at least two representatives recommended by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico neither of whom shall be members of the same political party.

b. All appointments shall be made no later than 90 days following the day of enactment of P.L.2019, c.284 (C. 52:16A-123 et seq.).

A vacancy in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made.

c. 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.

d. The commission shall meet and hold hearings at the places it designates throughout the State.

L.2019, c.284, s.2.