(a) There is created a body corporate and politic to be known as the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame Authority which shall be deemed to be an instrumentality of the State of Georgia and a public corporation; and by that name, style, and title such body may contract and be contracted with, bring actions, complain and implead in any judicial, administrative, arbitration, or other action or proceeding, and, to the extent permitted by law, have actions brought against it, be impleaded, and defend in such proceedings.

(b) The authority shall consist of 15 members who shall serve terms of six years from the date of their appointment. Nine members shall be appointed by the Governor, three members shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, and three members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; but all members shall be appointed from the same persons who comprise the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame Board. No person at any time may serve on only the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame Board or the authority, but rather a member of either must at all times serve on both.

(c) The authority shall elect the chairperson of the authority for a term of one year from among the members of the authority. The authority shall elect one of its members as vice chairperson and shall elect a secretary and a treasurer who need not be members. The offices of secretary and treasurer may be combined in one person.

(d) The authority may adopt, alter, or repeal bylaws for its government as is deemed necessary but is under no duty to do so.

(e) The authority may designate from among its members an executive committee and one or more other committees, each consisting of two or more members of the authority and each of which, to the extent provided in the bylaws of the authority, shall have and may exercise such authority as the authority may delegate to it. Any such committee shall act by a majority of its members. The designation of any such committee and the delegation thereto of authority shall not operate to relieve the authority or any member thereof of any responsibility imposed by law.

(f) Any eight members of the authority shall constitute a quorum necessary for the transaction of business; and a majority vote of those present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be sufficient to do and perform any action permitted by this part. No vacancy on the authority shall impair the right of a quorum to transact any and all business as provided in this subsection.

(g) The unexpired term of any member who ceases to serve from any cause shall be filled in the same manner that such member was originally appointed to the authority.

(h) The members of the authority shall receive for each day that such members are in attendance at a meeting of the authority a daily expense allowance and reimbursement for transportation costs as provided for in Code Section 45-7-21, and the members of the authority shall not receive any other compensation for their services as such.