(a) There is hereby created the Alabama Drycleaning Environmental Response Trust Fund Advisory Board consisting of seven persons who are residents of the state appointed by the Governor of the state and confirmed by the Senate of the state. The members of the board shall be composed of one individual to represent the interest of each of the following groups, organizations, and entities:

(1) Owners or operators of drycleaning facilities covered by this chapter that employ no more than 10 full-time employees.

(2) Owners or operators of drycleaning facilities covered by this chapter that employ 11 or more full-time employees but no more than 24 full-time employees.

(3) Owners or operators of drycleaning facilities covered by this chapter that employ 25 or more full-time employees.

(4) Wholesale distributors covered by this chapter of drycleaning agents with at least one operating in-state wholesale distribution facility.

(5) An environmental group with statewide membership.

(6) The environmental engineering community.

(7) The real estate community owning real property on which a drycleaning facility or abandoned drycleaning facility is or has been located.

(b) All initial members of the board shall be appointed by the Governor before November 21, 2000. The board shall hold its first meeting within 30 days after all appointments to the board are made by the Governor. The members' terms of office shall be three years and until their successors are selected and qualified; except that, of those first appointed, three shall have a term of one year; two shall have a term of two years; and two shall have a term of three years, all as designated by the Governor at the time of appointment. There is no limitation on the number of terms any appointed member may serve. If a vacancy occurs, the Governor shall appoint a replacement. Each member of the board shall have one vote concerning any matter coming before the board. Any board member may be removed by the Governor after notice and hearing for incompetence, neglect of duty, malfeasance in office, or moral turpitude.

(c) At the first meeting of the board, and annually thereafter, the members shall select from among themselves a chair and vice chair. The board shall hold at least four regular meetings each year and such additional meetings as the chair deems desirable at a place within the state and time to be fixed by the chair. Special meetings may be called by three or more members of the board upon delivery of written notice to each member of the board. Four members of the board shall constitute a quorum. All powers and duties conferred upon members of the board shall be exercised personally by the members and not by alternates or representatives. The members of the board shall receive the same per diem and travel allowance as paid to state employees for each day's attendance at an official meeting of the board.

(d) The board may hire or engage attorneys, consulting engineers, or other professional advisors as deemed necessary by the board to assist the board to carry out its activities and the board may pay, at its sole discretion, such fees as it may determine for services of such attorneys, consulting engineers, or other professional advisors from monies in the fund.

(e) The State Health Officer, a representative of the department, and a representative of the Geological Survey of Alabama shall serve to advise the board as ex-officio members of the board, without a vote or compensation.

(f) No member of the board shall be liable to civil action for any act performed in good faith in the performance of his or her duty pursuant to this chapter.