To enact sections 149.32 and 149.321 of the Revised Code to establish the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, to prescribe the Commission's powers and duties, and to repeal sections 149.32 and 149.321 of the Revised Code on December 31, 2015, to terminate the commission on that date.

SECTION 1. That sections 149.32 and 149.321 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 149.32. The war of 1812 bicentennial commission shall do all of the following:

(A) Study and recommend activities that this state may carry out to honor Americans who served in Ohio in the war of 1812;

(B) Educate and raise awareness of residents of Ohio and of the nation about Ohio's role in the war of 1812;

(C) Coordinate international, federal, state, and local war of 1812 bicentennial activities occurring in Ohio;

(D) Plan and implement appropriate events, including celebrations and educational initiatives, to commemorate the war of 1812 bicentennial;

(E) Perform other duties as necessary to highlight Ohio's role in the war of 1812;

(F) Coordinate, as the commission considers appropriate, with the government of the United States, of the states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, of the province of Ontario, and of other states and nations that are commemorating the war of 1812;

(G) Seek federal grants and philanthropic support for war of 1812 bicentennial activities;

(H) Compile an inventory of existing war of 1812 markers, monuments, museums, and ties in this state;

(I) Undertake other activities that are appropriate to celebrate and commemorate the war of 1812 bicentennial.

Sec. 149.321.  There is hereby created the war of 1812 bicentennial commission, which for administrative purposes shall be a part of northwest state community college. The commission shall consist of the following members:

(A) One member of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(B) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate;

(C) The adjutant general or the adjutant general's designee;

(D) The superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent's designee;

(E) The director of commerce or the director's designee;

(F) The chief of the division of travel and tourism or the chief's designee;

(G) One member to represent the northwest state community college, appointed by the president of the college;

(H) One member to represent the national museum of Afro-American history and culture, appointed by the museum's director;

(I) One member of the Ohio humanities council, appointed by the council's executive director;

(J) One member of the Ohio historical society, appointed by the society's executive director;

(K) The superintendent of Perry's victory and international peace memorial;

(L) One member of a Native-American community historically associated with Ohio and the war of 1812, appointed by the governor; and

(M) Six members who are Ohio residents and who have a demonstrated interest in history and a substantial knowledge and appreciation of the war of 1812, appointed by the governor.

The commission shall select a chair and vice-chair from among its members.

The commission shall hold its first meeting not later than December 31, 2009, and shall meet at least twice each year thereafter.

Commission members shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

The commission may create, and appoint members to, an advisory board of persons with demonstrated interest in various aspects of the war of 1812.

The commission is not subject to sections 101.82 to 101.87 of the Revised Code.

SECTION 2. That sections 149.32 and 149.321 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed on December 31, 2015.