(a) In order to make available to the commission the services of an advisory body on such technical matters as the commission shall require, there is hereby created the Technical Advisory Committee to the commission which shall consist of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Director of the Alabama Development Office and the State Geologist, each of whom shall be members of said advisory committee throughout his respective term and until the appointment of his successor. The Technical Advisory Committee shall meet on call of the chairman of the commission and shall advise the chairman and the commission on any technical matters referred to it by the chairman of the commission. From time to time, as circumstances may require, a member of the Technical Advisory Committee may designate a representative of his department or agency to perform the duties of the member making the designation. Such person, if any, designated pursuant to this subsection, shall have the powers and be subject to the duties and responsibilities of the officer appointing him. The staffs and departments or the members of the Technical Advisory Committees supporting them in their official capacity are hereby authorized and directed to render whatever assistance is necessary to further the duties of said advisory committee or to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.

(b) The commission is authorized to provide for the establishment of other advisory committees, appointment of the membership of such committees, scope of investigation and other duties of such committees. The period of duration of such committees and the terms of members of such committees shall be established by the commission. No salary or compensation shall be allowed any member of such committees for services thereon. Travel, subsistence, and other expenses incurred by members of such committees in the discharge of their official duties as members of such committees, and when approved by the chairman or the director by direction of the commission, shall be paid at the rate allowed other state employees as provided by Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 36 of this code from any funds which are, or may become, available for the purpose of this chapter.