SECTION 1. Section 3 of chapter 701 of the acts of 1960, as most recently amended by sections 3 and 4 of chapter 429 of the acts of 2002, is hereby further amended in the second paragraph:

by striking the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the word “the”;

and by adding the following sentence at the end thereof:-

No member shall serve more than three full terms; provided, that a member appointed to fill a vacancy may serve three full terms after serving the unexpired portion of the former member.

SECTION 2. Section 4 of said chapter 701, as most recently amended by sections 3 and 4 of chapter 429 of the acts of 2002, is hereby further amended by adding after subsection (j) the following subsection:–

(k) To employ a chief operating officer, who shall be responsible for improving the management and performance of the Authority, and who shall report directly to the general manager and shall be subject to the authority of the general manager. The chief operating officer shall:

(i) provide overall organization management to improve agency performance and achieve the mission and goals of the Authority through the use of strategic and performance planning, measurement, analysis, regular assessment of progress, and use of performance information to improve the results achieved;

(ii) advise and assist the general manager in carrying out the requirements of chapter 701;

(iii) oversee efforts to improve management functions within the Authority; and

(iv) coordinate and collaborate with relevant personnel within and external to the Authority

SECTION 3. Notwithstanding section 3 of chapter 701 of the acts of 1960, as amended herein, members serving on the Steamship Authority Board who have served three full terms as of the effective date of this act may complete the remainder of their term and may serve an additional term immediately after their current term expires.